The book was created sometime around the year 800 but scholars have been unable to determine where. Dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to irelands capital city a memorable one. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Today the book of kells and the library that it lives in are a couple of the most popular attractions in dublin. 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. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. 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. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel tours. Book of kells and old library in dublin visit a city.
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. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. As i said before, the text contained in the book of kells isnt whats most important. It is four gospels of the new testament, written in latin and, since the 1950s, it has been bound in four separate volumes. Despite having to crowd around the glass case containing the book of kells, it was more breathtaking than i expected. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Hotels in kells flights to kells things to do in kells car rentals in kells kells vacation packages important. I feel lucky that i read it and look forward to the other dozen books she has published. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. Mar, 2017 the book of kells the book of kells is a lavishly decorated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament of the bible. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. Oct 10, 2011 the book of kells was written by celtic monks in around 800 ad. 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.
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. To see the book of kells and the old library for half price, visit 30 minutes before the library closes. You dont view the book of kells for its verbal content any more than you visit the roman colosseum because of the entertainments once performed inside. The library is home to one of the rare full color facsimiles created in order to increase education, study and access to the book of kells located at trinity college in dublin. 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. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it.
Book of kells kid connection irish cultural center and. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Short on time and want to see as much of dublin as you can. Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college, dublin slipcased by francoise henry and john kennedy jan 1, 1974 4. Last year more than one million people visited the attraction, often a mustsee on tourist itineraries for visits to dublin. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel. Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period. It was created in a columban monastery in ireland, c. The book of kells and the old library exhibition tripadvisor. On most mondays, im at the two sylvias press office working, since friday, march th, i have been working from home. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text. Really interesting to see the process of this calligraphic art up close. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. This destination may have covid19 travel restrictions in place, including specific restrictions for lodging. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. Your visit to the book of kells starts when you step in to trinitys stunning campus.
Originally published in 1985, the book of kells is nicely set in both 1985 and 985 with some backandforth time travel. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. The book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. 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. Certainly the book itself is a marvellous artefact. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Its easy enough, centrally located as it is in in the old library on the trinity college campus, an institution of higher education that has been in existence since the first queen elizabeths reign. New yorkers used to visiting the morgan library for their share of antique books might be tempted to skip a visit to dublins book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospel that dates from at least the year 800 a. 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.
Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. The strange imagination displayed in the pages, the impeccable technique and the very fine state of preservation make the book of kells an object of. 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. 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. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Most of your questions are answered on the trinity college website for the book of kells exhibition, especially the plan your visit and book online pages off the menu on the left side. The trinity college walking tour, which can include book of kells entry if you buy that version of the ticket, makes it far more interesting and memorable. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. Book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. If ancient history intrigues you then the exhibtion is well worth a visit and if not there are plenty of other things to. Frankly i feel its not worth just seeing the book of kells without more trinity college context. The book of kells is a permanent exhibit located within the mcclelland library. Learn more about the age old techniques of mixing color.
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. A visit to trinity college and the trinity college library to see the ancient book of kells truly made my dublin travel experience more complete. 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. See more ideas about book of kells, illuminated manuscript and celtic art. 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. 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.
The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. The town should, however, be on your list of places to visit in county meath. A visit to the book of kells has become almost compulsory for visitors to the city centre. The book of kells is a masterpiece of medieval arta brilliantly decorated version of the four gospels with fullpage depictions of christ, the virgin and the evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting. The long room and the exhibition remain open for visitors. A voluntary community group set up in october 2010 with the aim of improving visitor experience in our heritage town, and of promoting cultural tourism. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. Best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. 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. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and illuminated manuscript. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by varied colours. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times.
The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. If you have already purchased an online ticket for the book of kells and old library exhibition it is possible to take the tour of trinity college provided by authenticity tours at a reduced cost of 4. How to see the book of kells for half price or free. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a wonderful collection of precious books in the old library. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Plus, this tour includes free time to explore galway, too. Generally believed to have been written by monks in the scriptorium of the monastery founded by st columcille on the hebridean island of iona, it was moved to a new monastery in kells, co meath, after a viking raid on iona in the early ninth. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020.
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. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. When the m3 opened in 2010, most people in a hurry were glad to pay a toll to bypass the tiny meath town. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. 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 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. It is steeped in history, was once home to famed book of kells, and has one of the most confusing follies in ireland to boot. As much as i love everything morgan library, i still cannot skip a visit to work called the most beautiful book in the world in an 1896 new york. If you are looking for the book of kells travel information, expedia has you covered. Generally believed to have been written by monks in the scriptorium of the monastery founded by st columcille on the hebridean island of iona, it was moved to a new monastery in kells, co meath, after a viking raid on iona in the early ninth century. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer.
The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. Aug 29, 2017 the best way to see the book of kells is early in the morning, before the rest of dublin is awake. Oct 22, 2019 as i said before, the text contained in the book of kells isnt whats most important. If your goal is to read the gospels, there are much better books to do it in. 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. 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. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. 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. In five hours, youll see many of the citys top attractions, from trinity. Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation. The two ways to avoid paying the 10 fee to see the books of kells are as follows. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address.
With evan mcguire, brendan gleeson, mick lally, christen mooney. Dec 05, 2015 a visit to trinity college and the trinity college library to see the ancient book of kells truly made my dublin travel experience more complete. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. Trinitys greatest treasures are found within the old library, built by thomas burgh between 1712 and 1732.