Children 3 years and under are complimentary the book of kells is being removed from 4th november 2019 until early march 2020 due to essential restoration, and will be replaced with the only fine arts version approved by the 16th century. The college and its beautiful buildings are worth visiting on their own, but tourists tend to head straight to the library building to view one of dublins top attractions. It is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive from the middle ages and has been described as one of the greatest examples of western calligraphy and. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. The capital of the republic of ireland, dublin is an intimate place that is easy to explore. Glendalough and dublin highlights private tour with book. The book of kells is located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. The book of kells, less widely known as the book of columba, is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by celtic monks around ad 800 in the style known as insular art. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. A 5 hour tour covering the celts, viking, medieval and english dublin. Today, this gracious and cosmopolitan city on the liffey is one of europes premier destinations. Authenticity tours, which operates trinity tours, can facilitate any tour requests from members of the public or tour groups.
Then there is the remainder of the library to view and a visit to the very good gift shop. First your guide takes you through the colleges library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts of famous masters of science, literature, and art. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The book of kells and the long library is very worth a visit. Book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the. We just returned from the 14 day tour, and waiting in that long line was not worth the book of kells. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Home dublin glendalough and dublin highlights private tour with book of kells visit. We will begin our tour on oconnell street to discuss the man whose name it bea. In this historianled book of kells tour with skiptheline tickets, we will visit the book, explore trinity colleges famed old library, and examine celtic artifacts at the national museum of ireland, revealing how the light of learning shined brightly in ireland during the dark ages.
Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Seeing the book of kells was so much better than we expected it to be. Parliament square at trinity college, dublin the book of kells. There are a few things to consider when deciding whether an early access book of kells tour is worth while, mainly the access and the price. The book of kells dublin must see the spencer hotel dublin. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. Plan to visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition, ireland. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library. The scribes embellished their calligraphy with intricate celtic designs. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin. View an exhibit on the production of the book as well as other exhibits on ireland.
Four volumes are available for viewing, two of which can be seen normally, one is opened to display a majorly decorated page, and one displays two pages of script. Meet at the easytofind trinity college in central dublin, and set off listening to the elaborate history from a guide who unlocks secret mysteries of the book. The old library is mostly roped off, but you are able to walk down and view exhibits and artifacts from notable students and professors of trinity, including oscar wilde and bram. If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. We booked the book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel.
Does anyone know if the book of kells library is open on sundays. The trinity college library long room houses 200,000antiquarian texts and, in an adjacent room, the book of kells, a lavishly illustrated medieval manuscript containing the four gospels. Our first stop of the day was trinity college to see the book of kells. I am doing some research and there is a tour company that offers a. It has been on display in the old library at trinity college from the mid19th century. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for. Dublin tourism dublin hotels dublin bed and breakfast dublin vacation rentals dublin packages flights to dublin dublin restaurants dublin attractions dublin travel forum dublin photos dublin map. We spent approx 5 minutes looking at the 2 pages on view. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. We gave the book a quick glance, and then upstairs to meander in the library. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. It contains the four gospels of the new testament, complete with illustrations. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells.
Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. The library is like a piece of heaven on earth for book lovers of course and also for others as it is exceptionally calm and informative. In a nutshell, the book of kells is a collection of ancient books which retells the gospels. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction. Avoid waiting in long lines at the book of kellsone of the most important highlights of irish heritage dating back to the ninth centuryon this earlyaccess tour. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour. Throughout the tour i can also make suggestions for places you might like to visit during the rest of your stay. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Select the start date for your cruise sailing to view all ports of call. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i visited the wait was 45 minutes.
Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. The tour guy was knowledgeable but did not move the group out of the rain during the tour. Changes or cancellations requested less than 24 hours before the tour departure time are not possible. The book of kells is an illuminate medieval manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament that was created in 800 ad and is considered one of irelands national treasures. After having remained in kells until 1654, the book was moved to trinity college dublin in 1661. Discover dublins christian origins, beautiful buildings and famous book of kells ireland is often refereed to as the land of saints and scholars, well known for our writers like wilde and beckett but equally famous for our religious figures such as saint patrick. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kells widely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results.
During this time, a full colour replica of the book of kells will be displayed in long room and ticket prices will be reduced by 15%. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. At the conclusion of the tour, you may remain in the center of dublin for shopping or independent sightseeing. Authenticity tours offers a combined ticket which incorporates discounts on the cost of a guided tour of trinity college dublin and the admission fee to the book of kells and old library exhibition. Visit the university treasury to view the book of kells. The book of kells is a work of art from the dark ages, written in the year 800 ad. Youll be able to view an exhibition on how the book of kells was made, and general exhibits of ireland, while waiting for entry to the viewing area.