Check out the best tours and activities to experience the book of kells. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. The book of kells, housed at trinity college in dublin, ireland merges art, history, religion, and literature, making the exhibit a mustsee for anyone visiting dublin. The text of the gospels is largely drawn from the vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the ear. Dating back to the ninth century, this book is one of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the world and a key artifact of medieval history. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Thomas burgh built the old library building in the 18th century. Before viewing the famous book visitors pass through an excellent exhibition based on the book of kells and other important books written in monasteries around ireland from the 9th century. Then i found a link on their website for the trinity college tour which is a scheduled 35 minute guided tour of the four squares of the campus followed by access to the library and book of kells at your leisure.
The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. Locals could enjoy this book on their own doorstep and share it with visitors and tourists alike. All our bus tours use minicoaches with a maximum of 30 seats, this is to ensure a personal experience and complete access to our driver and guide. It gets the name book of kells from the fact that it was kept at a monastery in the town of kells for a long time in the medieval period. The town of kells is probably best known for the book of kells which was completed in the 9th century and remained there until 1541 to finally be moved to trinity college in dublin in 1661. With only eight guests per tour, there is more time and freedom to. Colmcille in the sixth century, where the world famous book of kells was completed in the ninth century, how it became a medieval market town. A walk through the town will lead visitors to realise that its physical treasures are the monastic layout of the town, the monastic enclosure with the high crosses, round tower, st. This decision has been made to protect the health and.
The online version contains the cover, general abbreviations, essay, topographical information, select bibliography, maps 1. Reserve your spot today and pay when youre ready for thousands of tours on viator. Colmcille in the sixth century, where the world famous book of kells was completed in the ninth century, how it became a medieval market town for norman settlers and. Kells town county meath discovering ireland vacations. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. The tour of the book of kells and dublin castle plus a very informative walk between the two places made for a fascinating couple of hours. Irelands boyne valley is home to ancient castles and prehistoric tombs, but reaching them by public transport can be a challenge. When the m3 opened in 2010, most people in a hurry were glad to pay a toll to bypass the tiny meath town.
The best way to see the book of kells is early in the morning, before the rest of dublin is awake. Book of kells tour monastic treasures with a historian context. As our host said, it felt as though it were a walk on the town with your mates. Visit trinity college for a tour and a visit to the old library and the beautifully illustrated book of kellscrafted by monks in the 9th century, its perhaps irelands greatest cultural treasure. The trinity college walking tour, which can include book of kells entry if you buy that version of the ticket, makes it far more interesting and memorable.
The book of kells was probably written and illustrated by columban monks on the island of iona off the west coast of scotland in the 8th century. Today it houses one of irelands most illustrious books, the 9th century book of kells. The library is open all year round except for a week around the christmas and new year period. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by. Maximize your time in irelands vibrant capital with a 24. Trinity college dublin and the book of kells is one the most popular visitor attractions in ireland and well worth a visit during your tour. We include more items on our meath tours than any other tour operator, including a viewing from the outside of a famine house designed 1838 1841 and used as famine workhouse 1845 1849 as well as a viewing of a famine memorial graveyard. The book of kells, which is on display in trinity college, was written around the year 800 ad and is one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. Visit the legendary trinity college and take a guided tour around this place steeped in history. Fully guided visit of th century dublin castle exterior and gardens.
Get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the tours shown on this site, or if youre looking to customise your own tour and just want to pick our brains we. Explore the history of ireland through one of irelands most popular tourist attractions and the worlds most famous medieval manuscripts, the book of kells at trinity college dublin. One of the top sights in dublin and ireland s finest national treasure is the book of kells, on display at the trinity college library. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and. Historical county meath day tour my ireland family heritage. The library is home to one of the rare full color facsimiles created in order to increase education, study and access to the book of kells located at trinity college in dublin. Whilst on a vacation in ireland, the book of kells is well worth the visit in dubln. The tour guy was knowledgeable but did not move the group out of the rain during the tour. This audio guide to the heritage town of kells in county meath will introduce you to kells rich history and tell you the story of how kells developed from an important monastic settlement founded by st. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel. Admission to the treasury to view the book of kells, entrance to the exhibition turning darkness into light and a fully guided visit to the old library of trinity college.
Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had contributions from various columban institutions from both britain and ireland. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament transcribed by celtic monks about year 800, when the rest of europe was in the midst of the dark ages. There are also tours of the trinity college campus provided by authenticity tours which include entry to the book of kells and the old library exhibition.
The book of kells is a permanent exhibit located within the mcclelland library. Authenticity tours offers a combined ticket which incorporates discounts on the cost of a guided tour of trinity college dublin and the admission fee to the book of kells and old library exhibition. Book of kells irish cultural center and mcclelland library. Famous for the book of kells this town was once of the heart of a vibrant area of religious study and treasures. See the house that is years old, a round tower and high cross which were part of the monastic settlement founded by colmcilles monks. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin.
It is steeped in history, was once home to famed book of kells, and has one of the most confusing follies in ireland to boot. Rather than cueing up myself, i decided to go on an early access book of kells and dublin castle tour with letzgo city tours. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. Strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. Enjoy early access to the colleges old library to see the precious book of kells. Colmcilles house and the famous scriptural market cross which now dominates the entrance to the heritage centre. Today the book of kells and the library that it lives in are a couple of the most popular attractions in dublin.
It contains the four gospels, preceded by prefaces, summaries and canon tables or concordances of gospel passages. Columcille and his monks contributed to keeping the light of learning alive in europe during its dark ages. The book of kells and the long library is very worth a visit. We booked the book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in kells, ireland on tripadvisor. Beat the crowds for early access to the old library in trinity college to. On this tour, spin through the boyne valley with pickup and dropoff at your dublin hotel included, and hit top attractions including slane castle, 12thcentury trim castle, and the neolithic tomb at fourknocks. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. The book of kells exhibit is perfect for history buffs.
Kells heritage town discover or create guided tours for. The book of kells is a group of manuscripts made with what is known as insular style. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. The ring of kerry tour earns a place on any travellers wish list. The library is like a piece of heaven on earth for book lovers of course and also for others as it is exceptionally calm and informative. One of the most unique and special destinations in the world, kells welcomes you to come and explore and become a part of its special story. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. Live like royalty on a luxury tour of ireland that gets you closer to irelands bestloved attractions including the famous ring of kerry located on the wild atlantic way. Book of kells things to do dublin book today the beacon hotel. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour.
On your arrival youll board a vintage doubledecker bus for a stylish tour of the city as you enjoy tea or coffee with lunch. In this historianled book of kells tour with skiptheline tickets, we will visit the book, explore trinity colleges famed old library, and examine celtic artifacts at. Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. Our day tour of the historical county meath is a oneinakind experience. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kellswidely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. No trip to dublin is complete without a visit to the old library of trinity college to admire the book of kells. Private tours dublin tour guides dublin ireland with. The book of kells is the worlds most famous medieval manuscript and one of irelands greatest cultural treasures. The return of the book would boost the economy of the heritage town of kells and tourists would receive a traditional, rural irish welcome in kells and would be spoilt for choice with the plethora of christian treasures here. Kells is very famous for saint colmcille, where he finished off the famous book of kells. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells.
Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. In this historianled book of kells tour with skiptheline tickets, we will visit the book, explore trinity colleges famed old library, and examine celtic artifacts at the national museum of ireland, revealing how the light of learning shined brightly in ireland during the dark ages. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. Its called book of columba because theres a legend that it was created singlehandedly by st. The monks from his community on the island of iona off the west coast of scotland moved to kells in the 9th century to escape savage viking raids. The book of kells the book of kells is the most decorated illuminated manuscript to survive from the early medieval period in europe. The town has hidden gems galore and the beautiful spire of lloyd is a few minutes outside town on the road to. Dont miss out on great deals for things to do on your trip to dublin. Kells was once known as the splendour of ireland and st. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning.
The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. The town should, however, be on your list of places to visit in county meath. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. Visit the historic book of kells at trinity college, duvblina,viking trading port to a walled medieval city, georgian dublin and st. Meet at the easytofind trinity college in central dublin, and set off listening to the elaborate history from a guide who unlocks secret mysteries of the book. The ornate high crosses and round tower still stand as a testimont to the building and skill of the builders. Avoid waiting in long lines at the book of kellsone of the most important highlights of irish heritage dating back to the ninth centuryon this earlyaccess tour. The book is believed to be produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations, though there has been debates about the origin of the book, and how it. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library.
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