The book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. 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. The medieval masterpiece, the book of kells, is now digitized. One of irelands greatest cultural treasures comments, it is set apart from other manuscripts of the same period by the quality of its artwork and the sheer number of illustrations that run throughout the 680 pages of the book. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. The book of durrow, lichfield gospels, and the lindisfarne gospels rank in a similar period, but even among those three, the book of kells has a unique position. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a wonderful collection of precious books in the old library. The best way to see the book of kells is early in the morning, before the rest of dublin is awake. The book of kells is one of dublins main tourist attractions, but is it worth the 10 entrance fee. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city.
The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. We were there about 2 years ago and i think it was about euro. Aug 29, 2017 the best way to see the book of kells is early in the morning, before the rest of dublin is awake. To see the book of kells and the old library for half price, visit 30 minutes before the library closes. During this period ticket prices are reduced by 15%. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september.
Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. The book of kells compare tickets from different websites to see. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. 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. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Its about 10 euros to see the book of kells on your own, and 44 euros for the tour that i went on. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and celtic. The long room and book of kells exhibition remain open for visitors. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. Housed in the striking old library of trinity college, the ancient illuminated manuscript is befitting of its distinguished surroundings. Book your tickets online for trinity college dublin, dublin. The book was created sometime around the year 800 but scholars have been unable to determine where.
If you know nothing else about medieval european illuminated manuscripts, you surely know the book of kells. Grafton street and oconnell street are also within 5 minutes. A visit to the book of kells has become almost compulsory for visitors to the city centre. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Located in city centre dublin, this luxury hotel is steps from the book of kells, trinity college, and oconnell bridge. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent old library building was constructed. Abbey street station is only a 5minute walk and jervis station is 8 minutes. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus.
The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The library building itself was built between 1710 and 1732 so its almost a toddler in comparison. Trinity is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the most beautiful, with its imposing buildings and leafy grounds in the heart of dublin city. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of. The book of kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period. Trinity college library, dublin that is a masterpiece of the ornate hibernosaxon style. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. 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. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers.
The long room in the old library at trinity college, dublin upstairs from the chamber with the book of kells is the old librarys bustlined long room, the aptlynamed main stacks of the original library, a 65meter 2foot built in 171232 the second level was added in 1860 and housing 200,000 books alongside busts of famous writers, philosophers, and others associated. Jul 01, 2015 the book of kells and the old library exhibition. This will disappoint many however, it is still worthwhile to visit and see the long room beautiful. It is probable that the illumination was begun in the late 8th century at the irish monastery on the scottish island of iona and that after a viking raid the. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona. Apr 28, 2020 the book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament, along with various supporting material. Dec 31, 2008 trinity is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the most beautiful, with its imposing buildings and leafy grounds in the heart of dublin city. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. 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. The book of kells and the old library is a must see for anyone who visits dublin. One can stroll around the grounds of trinity without paying anything but, to view the book of kells, one must purchase a ticket which costs euros per adult for a tour of the old library. The tour takes about 30 minutes and is well worth the price. How to see the book of kells for half price or free.
The book of kells washingtoncenterville public library. Frankly, the book of kells is pretty anticlimactic. An illuminated manuscript written around 800ce, this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination and is one of the most studied books in the world. The long room and the exhibition remain open for visitors. There is in general a quite substantial queue in front of the ticket office. As part of ongoing conservation plans for the old library, the book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written. The medieval masterpiece, the book of kells, is now. If ancient history intrigues you then the exhibtion is well worth a visit and if not there are plenty of other things to do and see nearby.
Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. Apr 21, 2011 the book of kells features a latin version of the four gospels and highly ornate drawings of the apostles and other biblical figures that resemble stainedglass window images. The mystical masterpiece, wrapped in legends, is one of the oldest books in the world and was selected to the unesco world heritage list in 2011. The visit starts with the book before continuing one floor above with the old library. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. The two ways to avoid paying the 10 fee to see the books of kells are as follows. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. This amazing historic attraction is only 16 kilometres away from us at green isle hotel, located inside trinity college dublin. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona fled raids in the early ninth century. Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary. I bought the fourth edition and my library had the second edition. Compare ticket prices from different websites and book your trip to see the book of kells in trinity college dublin.
It was later relocated to trinity college in dublin for safekeeping and can there be wondered at ever since. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of kells. The book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. This may sound like circuitous logic, but the book of kells has been well known for a very long time. 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. Children under the age of 12 can enter free of charge. Aug 15, 2019 pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price.
Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin forum. A student guide takes you around and explains different areas of the campus. 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 old library and the book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin.
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. It is an extremely fine example of insular art, works of art produced in britain and ireland after the departure of the romans, and many people consider it to be one of irelands national treasures. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. 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. The book of kells and the old library exhibition tripadvisor. We will be in dublin off the viking jupiter on thursday august 1st arriving 8 am, and we also want to go see the library and book of kells, and would prefer to prebook and not wait on a long line, then have rest of day to maybe do other things, including hearing some great music, i believe we are in port until 11pm, thanks. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations.
I agree its best to take the trinity college walking tour and include 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 and the old library exhibition dublin aktuelle. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin.
Get the most out of your chance to see the precious 9thcentury book of kells by beating the crowds and enjoying early entrance. Book of kells tickets british isleswestern europe cruise. We have a few wellpreserved illustrated manuscripts from before the 12th century. After seeing the series, i decided not to go to see the book of kells because you really need a scholar to explain all the details to understand what you at looking at. Pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Tourists from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus and see the book of kells, a prized medieval manuscript housed in the trinity college library. Tickets for the book of kells and the old library exhibition cost 14 on the day for adults and 12 for children, students with id and visitors aged over 60. The book of kells compare tickets from different websites. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. Audio guides in english, french, spanish, german, italian, and chinese can be rented for 5.
Trinity college dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a fascinating visit and it is. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament, along with various supporting material. A young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. Copulating cats and holy men kindle edition by worrall, simon. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a. The book of kells features a latin version of the four gospels and highly ornate drawings of the apostles and other biblical figures that resemble stainedglass window images. This 9th century gospel manuscript is very famous throughout the world. With evan mcguire, brendan gleeson, mick lally, christen mooney. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. Hotels near trinity college dublin, book of kells green. I didnt think it would be worth it to just glance at the page for a few minutes. The basics with its handsome georgian and classical architecture, the trinity college campus is a. The field of research has unanimously identified the 8th century book of kells as a textbook example of insular illumination.