Summary
- History of Trinity College Dublin
- Our tips for visiting Trinity College in Dublin
- - Best time to visit Trinity College in Dublin
- - Some practical information
- What to do when you visit Trinity College in Dublin?
- - The Book of Kells
- How much does a ticket to Trinity College in Dublin cost?
- - How do I book a ticket to Trinity College Dublin online?
- Are there guided tours of Trinity College Dublin?
- Are there combined tours with other monuments?
- Opening Hours of Trinity College Dublin
- How do I get to Trinity College in Dublin?
- - Where to park near Trinity College in Dublin?
- Where to stay near Trinity College in Dublin?
Are you coming to the Irish capital soon? Then be sure to visit Trinity College in Dublin, the oldest university in Ireland!
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland! Located in the heart of Dublin, it is the only university in the city open to the city. Prestigious, it is known for the quality of its teaching, as well as for the rare books that it jealously guards in its library. Every year, it welcomes thousands of visitors as well as students from all over the world! Visiting Trinity College is a must in Dublin!
Would you like to visit Trinity College in Dublin? Then you will find in this article all the information you need to discover it. From tips, history and practical information to prices and opening times, you'll find all the information you need to plan your visit and enjoy it to the full!
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History of Trinity College Dublin
Opened in 1592 and modelled on the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the university allowed access only to Protestant male students, but gradually began to tolerate the presence of Catholics in 1793. The university did not allow access to women until 1904.
Selective from its inception, Trinity College accepted only the elite and the most promising students. The diverse and varied curriculum offered dedicated each student to a promising career! Some of the great names in Irish history have studied at Trinity College, such as the writer Samuel Beckett and Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the initiators of Irish republican nationalism.
Over the centuries, the university has gradually expanded, building new buildings to offer more courses to more students. Trinity College continues to be a prestigious institution, welcoming 16,000 Irish and foreign students each year.
Trinity College is a place of knowledge and has also become a major tourist attraction in Dublin, thanks to its history. In addition to its architectural treasures, such as the old library, the university also exhibits the Book of Kells, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful pieces of medieval history. A visit to Trinity College will take you back in history!
Our tips for visiting Trinity College in Dublin
Are you arriving in Dublin soon and would like to organise your discoveries? We understand you perfectly, time is precious! To help you discover this beautiful university and its treasures, here are a few tips to help you visit it at your best:
Best time to visit Trinity College in Dublin
To take advantage of the gardens of Trinity College, it is best to visit in spring, summer or autumn. During these times, you will also encounter many students outside. To get the most out of your visit, also avoid coming early in the morning before classes start, during lunch breaks or in the late afternoon.
To visit the Trinity College Library, we recommend that you come in mid-morning or mid-afternoon. A visit to the Library usually lasts from 40 minutes to an hour.
Some practical information
Photographs are not permitted in the exhibition area of the Library, particularly in the area where the Book of Kells is located. In the Long Room, however, you may take photographs without a flash and tripod.
The Old Library is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Upon arrival, you can use the elevators by asking the caretaker's permission beforehand.
What to do when you visit Trinity College in Dublin?
There are several options for visiting Trinity College. First, you can walk around the campus and see the old and new buildings that make up the university. A guided tour of the campus is available, details of which can be found in the guided tours section below.
The most important part of your visit is to explore the Trinity College Library and its Book of Kells exhibit. The largest library in Ireland, this Old Library preserves particularly old rare books on 2 floors. Some even date back to the 15th century! On the left in the library, you can also admire Brian Boru's harp, a real archaeological wonder! But above all, the Library is known for housing the famous Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells
Also known as the Great Gospel of Saint Colomba, this book is a manuscript illustrated with ornamental motifs. It was made by monks of Celtic culture around the year 800 and is considered a masterpiece of Irish Christianity and Irish-Saxon art.
Despite its incompleteness, it is one of the most sumptuous illuminated manuscripts to have survived from the Middle Ages. Many specialists consider it to be one of the most remarkable vestiges of medieval religious art, due in particular to its great beauty and the excellent technique of its finishing.
How much does a ticket to Trinity College in Dublin cost?
Access to the university gardens is free of charge.
However, you will have to pay an entrance fee to visit the Book of Kells and its exhibition, and at the same time the Old Library of Trinity College. Here are the rates for visiting Trinity College:
- Adult: €10
- Children under 12 years old: free
- Students and senior citizens: can benefit from a discount
Please note that prices may vary depending on the period. Until March 2020, the Book of Kells is unavailable. As a result, admission to the Library is less expensive.
How do I book online a ticket to Trinity College Dublin?
You can book your ticket to visit Trinity College and its Library directly on the official website of the university. The official site of the university has a page dedicated to the exhibition "The Book of Kells".
On this page, you will just have to click on the "Buy Tickets" button to reserve your tickets.
Are there guided tours of Trinity College in Dublin?
You can also book a guided tour of the Campus at the Authenticity Tours desk at the main entrance. This 35-minute guided tour allows you to learn more about this prestigious university. The tour to visit Trinity College costs 6€ for an adult. It is possible to buy a ticket combining this tour with admission to the Library.
Please note: the tour schedule changes according to the time of year. Visits are generally from morning to mid-afternoon. You can find more information on the official website of the university.
The Trinity College Library offers audioguides in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Chinese. You can borrow them for 5€ per audioguide. Please note that there are no official guided tours of the Library.
Are there combined visits with other monuments?
There are guided tours of Trinity College combined with other Dublin monuments. For example, you can opt for bus tours or walking tours, which necessarily include the oldest and most prestigious university in the capital.
These tours frequently include monuments such as the Central Post Office, emblem of the island's revolutionary past, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dublin Castle and the cultural district of Temple Bar. These tours cost on average between 15 and 25€.
Please note: guided tours of this type do not necessarily include entrance to the Trinity College Library.
Opening hours of Trinity College in Dublin
From May to September, the Old Library and its exhibition are open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm. From October to April, it is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 4.30pm. The last entrance is 30 minutes before the Library closes.
The gardens and the campus can be visited all day from Monday to Sunday.
How do I get to Trinity College in Dublin?
To get to Trinity College you can take the following buses 25, 25a, 25b, 26, 47, 49, 54a, 61, 66, 66a, 66b, 67, 84x, 150, all of which have a stop around the university. The University is also within walking distance of Temple Bar and thus Dublin's historic city centre.
From the City Hall or Dublin Castle, the university can be reached in a maximum of ten minutes on foot!
Where to park near Trinity College in Dublin?
Would you like to drive to Trinity College? Don't panic, you will have no trouble parking near the university and Dublin city centre. There are plenty of car parks close to the university. For example, you can use the Q-Park Setanta just a short walk from Trinity College. Parking costs €4 per hour and the rate decreases over time.
Where to stay near Trinity College in Dublin?
Trinity College is located in the heart of Dublin City. As mentioned above, Temple Bar is just a short walk from the university. This festive district has countless irish pubs, the emblem of the city! If you like lively, festive, friendly areas, then we can only recommend this area for your accommodation in Dublin. You can easily find a hotel or an Airbnb here. Because of its central location, it is easy to visit the rest of the Irish capital.
However, prices can be a bit high, as in any city centre of a big European city!
