Old Library, Trinity College Dublin

Background

The Old Library stands on the Trinity College campus beside College Green in the centre of Dublin, Ireland, in Dublin 2. The College was founded in 1592 and the Library began with it; today it is the largest library in Ireland, with about 7 million volumes, and holds legal deposit rights in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Old Library was built in 1712–1732 to the design of Thomas Burgh. The Long Room is 65 metres long and holds about 200,000 of the Library's oldest books; in 1860 its roof was raised to add an upper gallery. The Library displays the Book of Kells, the Brian Boru Harp and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The Book of Kells dates from around AD 800, with datings to the late 8th century, the 9th century and others; the College describes it as a manuscript about 1,200 years old. Since 2022 the Long Room has been undergoing restoration costing about €90 million; apart from the first four bays, its books have been temporarily removed, and the hall now holds the temporary Gaia installation. Opening and closure arrangements for the Long Room and the Old Library change with the works, so always check the official website before visiting.

Local customs

• See the Book of Kells exhibition (the Treasury) first, then the Long Room
• allow about 90 minutes
• the campus is free to wander, while the Library and exhibition require a ticket, and timed entry booked online is advised. The Long Room currently looks different from historic photographs, with most shelves temporarily empty
• take it as you find it.

Travel tips

• Timed entry booked online is advised
• peak season is crowded, so consider off-peak times
• the exhibition and the Long Room require admission, while wandering the campus is free
• opening arrangements may change during the restoration, so always check the official website before visiting. The Old Library is in central Dublin and reachable on foot, and city buses and trams serve the College Green area
• for specific routes, check the latest local information.
• Indoor visits are possible all year round and little affected by the seasons
• in the summer peak season, advance booking is advised.