Trinity College

dglawless
dglawless
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
17
Reviews
33
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Don't Overlook the Harp!

  • October 28, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by akakd from , Arizona
Don't Overlook the Harp!

Trinity College is known for the wondrous Book of Kells. These illuminated manuscripts are not to be missed. Still just as grand is the beautiful Long Room, filled with ancient texts, busts of important men, and the oldest harp. Take your time to enjoy the Long Room in all its splendor.

From journal Dubious Dublin

Granddaughter's Trinity College Dream

  • August 10, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Donn Barrett from Portland, Oregon
My wife and I, along with our daughter and oldest granddaughter, 12 year old Dylan, visited Trinity College last summer (2007). As we entered the "Long Room" Dylan's eyes got as big as saucers. She was mesmerized by the vaulted ceiling and shelves of leather-bound volumes. She looked up at me and asked, "Can I go to school here?" I, of course, said yes. It has been a year since her epiphany and she is more determined than ever to do all she can in the next five years to be accepted for the 2013 fall semister.

Donn
Portland, Oregon

Trinity College

  • May 16, 2007
  • Rated 2 of 5 by paolo1899 from Naples, Italy
Trinity College

Trinity Collage was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. It is Ireland's oldest university and counts Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett, and Oscar Wilde, along with many others great thinkers and writers, amongst it past students. This 16th-century complex is home to many glorious buildings, beautifully manicured lawns. Cobbled squares and the campus of the university of Ireland. The celebrated book of Kells, which dates from the 8th century and is considered to be one of the oldest books in the world, is housed in the collage's colonnades gallery.

From journal Visit to Trinity Collage

Editor Pick

Trinity College

  • March 16, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by atherts from Portland, Oregon
Trinity College

Trinity College is easily reached just across the river following O’Connell Street. Cross the bridge and follow the buses. It is very close to Grafton Street, the main shopping area. If you see the Tart with the Cart (Molly Malone statue) you’ve passed it. Entry is through large wooden doors, making you feel like you are entering a fortress, not a college. The grounds are large inside with a large courtyard and buildings all around. Signage is only fair, but you can opt for a walking tour. Times are posted just inside the entrance along with a lot of other interesting items. The tour includes the history of Trinity and stories about famous graduates and activities. The tours run about every 40 minutes throughout the day.

A general map of the grounds can be found at the college site. The Book of Kells, by far the most visited attraction is located in the Trinity College Library, located to the right and back from the main entrance. Be sure to wander through the great hall of the library after viewing the Book of Kells. The hall contains high ceilings with rows of high shelves. Down the aisle are interesting displays of various antiquities and busts of famous authors.

Trinity College started as a Protestant school interestingly enough, but now has no restrictions on who can attend. The buildings span a variety of architectural styles, but all are interesting to examine. The campanile or bell tower in the center of the square is especially interesting and dates from 1853.

From journal Co. Dublin

Editor Pick

Trinity College

  • November 6, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by zabelle from Portland, Connecticut
Trinity College

I wasn’t quite prepared for what was involved in seeing the Book of Kells. I guess I just thought you would walk in and pay a fee and look at the Book. As a matter of fact since Al didn’t even know what the Book of Kells was, we decided that he would wait outside and read his book while I did my thing. I paid my fee and made it as far as the first display before I realized that this was way more than I had thought. I went out and got Al and brought him in.

If seeing the Book of Kells wasn’t enough to take your breath away, you are sent upstairs to see the Long Room. It is 209 feet long and forty feet wide and with book cases that reach to the very high barrel vaulted ceiling. All of these large bookcases are filled with antiquarian books. It is a very impressive sight indeed. Unfortunately there are no pictures allowed . Also in the Long Room there are cases with some of the many books that are part of their collection. Every year an additional 100,000 books are added to the over 5 million that they already own. Also on display is a very old Irish harp that is reputed to have belonged to Brian Boru. This is the harp that is the inspiration for the Guinness logo.

The display that made me bring Al in is called “Turning Darkness into Light” . It sets up the background for the treasure that is to follow. We learn about and view examples of the art of illumination as practiced by the monks on the Isle of Iona. The Book of Kells has long been attributed to these monks who were there under the auspices of St. Colum Cille in the 6th century. The Book dates from the 9th century. Whether or not the monks from Iona were still on Iona or at Kells in county Meath is not know with any certainty. What is certain is that this is probably the finest surviving example of illumination in the world.

The Book of Kells was sent to Dublin during the reign of Cromwell for safety reasons and to Trinity College in 1661 through the Bishop of Meath.

The whole exhibit is amazing. It really is breathtakingly beautiful and you really can visit it time and again because they do change the pages that are on view.

There are other objects on view including other manuscripts, coins, broaches, etc.

There is a really phenomenal gift shop. You can easily spend a half hour just browsing around. If you have time, walk around Trinity College itself. For so many years this college forbid Catholics from attending and when they were allowed, the Pope didn’t allow Catholics to attend. But all this has passed and now all are welcome even women.

From journal In Dublin’s Fair City

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