Otherwise known as the ‘long room’, it is the most beautiful and stately library I have ever seen. It dates back to 1592 when the college was founded by Queen Elizabeth I. I literally opened my mouth in awe when I stepped inside the library—it is simply stunning! WOW. The German girl I met the other night during the pub crawl tipped me about the library and I am just so elated I came. Thank you so much!
Inside, there is a sense of organisation and homogeneity in its wood themed interior design, the two-level intimidating high shelves, the vaulted ceilings and arches and the placement of the books. The books are hard bound in leather and are assigned by height. It took years for the library to arrange and stack them up like this. Unfortunately, fotos were not allowed and the guard kept a firm eye on everyone’s camera including mine. Below are two fotos I took of two postcards in the library’s souvenir and gift shop.
‘Today it has 5 million printed volumes with extensive collections of journals, manuscripts, maps and music reflecting over 400 years of academic development. The most famous of its manuscripts, the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, were presented by Henry Jones, Bishop of Meath and former vice-chancellor of the University, in the 1660s. Other special collections include the Ussher Collection acquired in 1661 and the Fagel Collection of 1802.’ — excerpt from Trinity College Library Dublin website
I did check the famous Book of Kells exhibit. The Book of Kells are the gospels in the Christian Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. What struck me most with the book was the material used in the folios—vellum, as well as the magnitude of the details of the illustrations, the colours rendered and the precision in writing by hand, considering that the book is somewhat pocket size. It is undisputedly an amazing, beautiful work of art.
Trinity College Library, the oldest library in Ireland with the Book of Kells banner outside and on lamp posts. The angels are illustrations meticulously drawn and painted in the book.
The old library houses the old gaelic Brian Boru’s harp (Trinity College harp) as well, circa 15th century. The harp is Ireland’s symbol, in addition to the three-leaf clover. You can find the harp icon on the Irish Euro coin.
Travel Period: September 2010
Destination: Dublin, Ireland