Nov 17, 2019 the book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. Book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. One of the must see dublin attractions is the guinness storehouse, situated in the st james. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to. The book of kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be. It was created by celtic monks circa 800 or slightly earlier. The fairytale traveler experience at the book of kells. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. I strongly advise you spending the 5 euro to get the audio mp3 player with headphones that you keep. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. The entire first floor of the book of kells exhibit is set up nicely as a self guided tour through blown up illuminated replicas of the manuscript. The book of kells and the old library in trinity are usually the tourists first port of call.
Despite its relatively small size, dublin is the capital of ireland and is a popular city home to a wide range of tourist attractions including the guinness storehouse, national gallery of ireland, st patricks cathedral and the famous book of kells. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition. The grand chained library holds many rare works on irish history and presents frequently changing displays of classic works. The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the biblical new testament gospels in latin and created in a british or irish columban monastery dating back to c. The book of kells is located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. Book of kells and old library in dublin visit a city. The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the.
How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. It is irelands most precious medieval artifact and is generally considered the finest surviving illuminated manuscript to have been produced in medieval europe. When visiting the dublin area, expedia can provide you with extensive the book of kells information, as well as great savings on nearby hotels and flights. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in kells, ireland on tripadvisor. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library. Leave plenty of time for sightseeing tours you wouldnt want to. The 10 best things to do in dublin coronavirus update 2020. During your tour, youll get to wander through some of the various graveyards of famous irish political figures, poets, writers and other people of interest, along with.
The book turning darkness into light when iona was. The wording of the gospels is largely taken from the vulgate, but also includes sections from the earlier versions of the bible known as the vetus. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on the scottish island of iona, but more stunning still is the 65m long room, the librarys main chamber, which houses around 200,000 of the librarys oldest volumes. Whether they are sharing longwinded stories, singing local songs or. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Not only is dublin deeply rooted in their incredible history, culture and well, booze the people of dublin are all such characters, as well. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800.
The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. Known as one of the oldest and most famous universities in ireland, trinity college dublin is located in the centre of our capital city, dublin, ireland, on college. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and uber. The book is a masterwork of western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of insular illumination. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and. One will be open at a page showing one of the major illustrations contained in the book of kells, and another will show you a typical page of lavishly ornamented text. Stay at trinity college dublin in the heart of dublin and explore all that tcd has to offer including the book of kells exhibition, trinity gift shop and more. Jan 25, 2016 the incredibly intricate artwork one illumination measuring just one square inch includes 158 interlacing ribbons of black and white in the book of kells and the sheer weight of history attached to it cannot be downplayed, but theres at least one more reason why the old library is special to the people of ireland. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin all you. The beyond the book of kells lecture series is lead by dr mark faulkner of trinity colleges school of english.
Fully guided visit of th century dublin castle exterior and gardens. 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. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19.
The 5 best things to do in kells may 2020 with photos. A combination tour of the book of kells and the national gallery of ireland. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. Leave plenty of time for sightseeing tours you wouldnt want to miss out on top attractions like this one and many more.
Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make. One thing to note is the area around the book of kells is not huge. Book of kells was probably produced early in the 9th century by the monks of iona, working wholly or partially at iona itself or at kells, county meath, where they moved after 806 ad, the book of kells trinity college library dublin turning darkness into light when iona was attacked by vikings in a raid which left sixtyeight monks dead. It contains the four gospels, preceded by prefaces, summaries and canon tables or. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. The book of kells, which is on display in trinity college, was written around the year 800 ad and is one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. Reserve your spot today and pay when youre ready for thousands of tours on viator. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The town lies off the m3 motorway, 16 km 10 mi from navan and 65 km 40 mi from dublin.
The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. 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. Nov 05, 2015 the book is believed to have been brought to kells following a viking raid on the monastery on the island of iona, scotland, in 806. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. The book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages.
It is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i, and is famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on the scottish island of iona, but more stunning still is the 65m long room, the librarys main chamber, which houses around 200,000 of. Check out the best tours and activities to experience the book of kells. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including.
Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels. Admission to the treasury to view the book of kells, entrance to the exhibition turning darkness into light and a fully guided visit to the old library of trinity college. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. It is held as part of the manuscript, print, and book cultures research theme, in association with the trinity long room hub, the faculty of arts, humanities, and. 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. Trinity college was founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth and today is recognized internationally as irelands premier university and is 43rd position in the top 100 world universities. For those who like to enjoy a more cultural or literary break, a trip to the trinity college library where the famous book of kells is housed, is a must. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on the scottish island of iona, but more stunning still is the 65m long room, the librarys main chamber, which houses around 200,000. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland.
Whether a rousing account of the history of women in the college, or a lushly illustrated coffee table edition, trinitys book collection will both exhilarate and delight. Dont miss out on great deals for things to do on your trip to dublin. It is best known as the site of kells abbey, from which the book of kells takes its name. A light, entertaining and interactive tour where you will gain a new insight into art and develop the skills to identify for yourself what you like and why. The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. The book of kells and the old library exhibition tripadvisor. This decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community. If the luck of the irish is on your side and you find yourself in the infamous city of dublin, there will be countless things for you to do and see while youre there.
Books 17 the rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. Find all the transport options for your trip from dublin to kells right here. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. The book of kells is a beautifully handilluminated manuscript, containing the four gospels of the new testament as well as various prefatory texts and tables bound in four volumes. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Trinitys greatest treasures are found within the old library, built by thomas burgh between 1712 and 1732. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction frommers. The book was found in the abbey of kells, hence its name the book of kells. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction.
The old library building, trinity college, college green, dublin 2. The book was created sometime around the year 800 but scholars have been unable to determine where. The book of kells is one of the worlds most famous and beautiful manuscripts of the four gospels of the new testament written in latin. Rome2rio makes travelling from dublin to kells easy. Although this treasure is no longer found in the abbey of kells, the setting at trinity college library in. 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. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Explore the history of ireland through one of irelands most popular tourist attractions and the worlds most famous medieval manuscripts, the book of kells at trinity college dublin. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. The book turning darkness into light when iona was attacked. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. In a nutshell, the book of kells is a collection of ancient books which retells the gospels. Dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to irelands capital city a memorable one.