It is best known as the site of kells abbey, from which the book of kells takes its name. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. 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. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. Frankly, the book of kells is pretty anticlimactic. 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. Please note athboy library will be closed on saturday 25th january. The book of kells is on display in the old library within trinity college, located. Aug 12, 2010 an introduction to the book of kells and the beautiful film the secret of kells made by the studio cartoon saloon. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. During this time, a full colour replica of the book of kells will be displayed in long room. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had.
The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. Aby sa obmedzilo sirenie koronavirusu, atrakcie mozu byt zatvorene alebo ciastocne zatvorene. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Opening times most libraries book in whitehaven have an opening time of 14. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. 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. Audio guides in english, french, spanish, german, italian, and chinese can be rented for 5. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. Bank of ireland branch in kells bank opening hours. To see the book of kells for free, befriend a student or an alumni. The library building itself was built between 1710 and 1732 so its almost a toddler in comparison. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript.
This official guide by the former keeper of manuscripts at the library of trinity college, dublin, where the book of kells is on permanent display, provides fascinating insights into one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art. The book of kells compare tickets from different websites. Some brave souls still try to look for that one elusive free space and you can get lucky late at night around merrion square and nassau st. The conservatory cafe, is open the same hours as the garden opening times. The old library and the book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Aug 02, 2018 free parking around this area is as rare as the manuscripts in the book of kells. 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.
This was only the fourth time the book of kells had been sent abroad for. Garden opening times ticket prices kells bay gardens. The book of kells, dating from about 800 ce, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four gospels. It was created by celtic monks circa 800 or slightly earlier. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. 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. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not sure if there is a way to book ahead of time and apply this discount. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the. It was founded in the early 9th century, and the book of kells was kept there during the later medieval and early modern periods before finally leaving the abbey in the 1650s. It is one of the most famous and valuable illuminated manuscripts to have survived to modern times.
The history behind it is cool, but theres such a crowd that you just walk around it for a few minutes. Kells and connor library customer notice due to the rapidly evolving situation with covid19, we are temporarily closing all public libraries and out of hours access from 5. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. Bank of ireland kells opening hours stores across ireland may now be closed or operating limited hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. To be honesti dont know what the book of kells is, but based on the song titles i would venture to say that it is a biblical reference. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before you.
Children under the age of 12 can enter free of charge. However, during opening hours free parking space is impossible to find. Please note, the latter option is only possible during the exhibitions opening hours. 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. As part of ongoing conservation plans for the old library, the book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. Big bus dublin opentop, hopon hopoff sightseeing tour. Like most of the other early iona albums, this one seems a bit overly long to me. Opening hours for the book of kells are as follows may september. View all attractions near trinity college dublin on tripadvisor. 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 dublin must see the spencer hotel dublin.
Today, it is on permanent display at the trinity college library, dublin. Nct centre in kells, ida industrial estate, virginia road, kells, meath, opening hours, phone number, map, latenight, sunday hours, address, car test centre. No book evokes such passion amongst art lovers as the 9th century illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells. Luckily, you can and should prebuy tickets to all of these attractions online. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin.
The abbey of kells mainistir cheanannais in irish is a former monastery in kells, county meath, ireland, 40 miles 64 km north of dublin. Trinity college is home to the famous book of kells. Two volumes can normally be seen displayed at trinity, one opened at a. 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. We recognise that your time is precious so at aib kells we offer. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing.
Produced by a team of columban monks living under constant threat from bloodthirsty viking invaders, this medieval manuscript is considered irelands finest national treasure. 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. Ionas second studio album, as the title suggests, is a concept piece based on the book of kells. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice.
The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin, irsko. 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. Universityschoolcorporate group tours may focus solely upon the college and its grounds or may be so organised as to include admission to the book of kells and old library exhibition. The exhibition and gift shop are open seven days a week.
Jul 08, 2018 the five biggest attractions in dublin are the guinness storehouse, the book of kells and the library of trinity college dublin, the little museum of dublin, jameson distillery, and glasnevin cemetery. 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. Free parking around this area is as rare as the manuscripts in the book of kells. The book is a masterwork of western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of insular illumination. They have it open to different pages on different days. 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. 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 and which displays the book of kells. 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.
Does anyone know if the book of kells library is open on sundays. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. Visit the official website for the latest opening times. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. 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.
The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. The book was found in the abbey of kells, hence its name the book of kells. 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. There is a plant nursery on site and purchases may be made via the garden cafe. Written on vellum and containing a latin text of the gospels, it is one of the most popular sights in dublin. 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 old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. If you do need to make a visit to a store, please check directly with the store website for the very latest change to hours or store closures. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it.
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. Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period. Show your ticket on your smartphone at the entrance. Aug 15, 2019 pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. The book of kells, the book of kells exhibition, trinity. No trip to dublin is complete without marveling at the unique creation that is the book of kells. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through. Book of kells the book of kells, of which our copy is a replica, was written more than 1,200 years ago by monks in medieval ireland.