The Book of Kells and Old Library Exhibition is a must-see on the itinerary of all visitors to Dublin. Located in the heart of the city in Trinity College Dublin, the Exhibition displays the Book of Kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. The Exhibition also features access to the Long Room, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries that houses 250,000 of Trinity College’s oldest books.
My bucket list is not long and I won’t accomplish anything on it. But I keep it as a dream. This library is being added to it today. So beautiful and full of mystery and wonder! Wow, all those books! All the stories they could tell. 😌
My family and I were there May 2018. It was incredible, as you walked into the long room you could smell the intoxicating aroma of the books. Nothing quite like the smell of old books. Unfortunately, they packed us in like sardines and you really couldn't enjoy the tour as much. The isles that were the bookshelves were corded off so everyone was down the middle. The Book of Kells viewing room was very small and people were not allowing others to see the book. There really wasn't very much organization to it.
I understand that the book is shown each day a different page. Is there such a thing for those if us that live many thousands of miles away online please ?
Don't - Go To visit Book of Kells!! I had the most outrage treatment at the gift shop of the Book of Kells exhibition at the Trinity College - with my family including two 5 & 6 year old children. Because there was no public bathroom at the exhibition building, their father had to use it at another building. While I waited with the children at the shop, a male staff wanted us to leave even though we bought their merchandises. I explained the situation and pled with him to let us stay because the shop was our meeting place and their father's US phone did not work in Ireland. He replied "I gave you 5 minutes. Leave." I was so shocked and speechless at his rudeness and callousness. We were their customers, we had two children just waiting for someone to return from the bathroom, and it was pouring rain outside. Seriously, this guy didn't care about the customers, or children. He wanted to kick us out in the rain outside! Fortunately their father returned shortly. But this will always be my bad memory of Ireland. I do not recommend Book of Kells and the Trinity college for any visitors - based on my experience, I think it is overrated. People should know about it!! BTW, most shelves in the library are empty. There are only two pages of the book that you get to see at the exhibition.
So you want to discourage the public from visiting Trinity College because of... a bathroom problem? You don't tell us if maybe the gift shop was crowded with customers. Or if your young children were maybe a little noisy or unruly. Or if you were all talking too loud, which is frequently pointed out by locals as being an unpleasant American habit. Anyway I find this a very shallow reason. BTW, you didn't mention if you admired the two pages that were on display.
The first time I visited Ireland I went to Trinity college. I saw the Long Room & yes, it almost took my breath away! It's so medieval, dark & foreboding. It made me think of the old castles, knights & jousting. One thing that surprised me (well, 2 things), was how small it is. I guess I was expecting a book maybe 3Xs as large. Secondly, it was how bright & vibrant the colors still were! You'd think the ink/paint or whatever the used to be pretty fairly faded. But that wasn't the case. It was a magnificently beautiful piece of history. And yes, I had almost every one of those questions still unanswered! Thanks for a great video!!
Lions cubs were born dead for three days when their father arrived and breathed over them... that reminds me of my own father after I was born and stopped breathing. My father was said to have ripped the top off the incubator and breathed air into my lungs and saved my life. this was a tome before electronic alarms sounding if any vitals need attention. being from the State of the Lions 🦁 Maine, any the father bringing life reminded Dad and ME. thanks, dad. seems I had a mission to fill fulfill
Good, extraordinary good dear Madame you have given us the answers of ten questions in a very good Rythemicall way. This work is known as the creation of Angeles as it is considered a wonderful creation beyond the capacity of human beings. Even if the legend tells so, the reall work was done by 18 year young monks lt is even more wonderful. Certainly there is God's intervention Thank you Madam G
One of the most unfortunate things historically, to me at least, was the fire at Alexandria and the lost of all that was written down in the books. I believe we need to preserve these things for future generations. Good luck in the preservation!
Came here to learn more about the Book of Kells and was not disappointed. Thank you for this lovely video. And my ears perked up when you said you have a first edition of the Book of Mormon! Hello from Utah, US, and that of a former Mormon. I love learning of early belief systems and the Book of Kells and the Book of Mormon are absolutely fascinating. So while I’m no longer a believer, the history is worth learning. Cheers.
Fascinating! Definitely on my bucket list to see this in person. Loved what you said about the little notes monks wrote to each other like “I’m so tired of this” ❤️
Thanks for this beautiful presentation, given by a woman of great knowledge and inspiration. What a shame that women of this old time seems to be invisible...The Book of Kells, written only by monks? No nuns, even if there have been famous and highly educated women among the irish catholic community? All this beautiful, detailed busts....only famous men ? Come on, there have been famous women as well, there have been female writers and philosophers....This world of men is only one half of the history !! Why don't show the other half ???
I understand your sentiments. However, historically the ancients would only pass on images and words of the men. Global history is framed in the voice and dominance of men. Modern era, we have the opportunity to change how women are presented and known for centuries to come.
Thank you for such a wonderful Q and A. You mentioned some books have never been viewed. Are all of these books catalogued? Is the catalogue digital? What books aren’t viewed? As an American, I am not familiar with Trinity College. Are all of the books religiously based? Are there science books, for example? What is the oldest book in the Long Room stacks? How many separate versions of the Bible do you have, including the Old Testament? Do you have any of the Jewish Gemara or Hebrew writings?
do you have to book a tour or are they usually available same day? We will be there decemeber 27 though january 1st and didnt see anything available on the website
