Visiting The Book of Kells | Everything You Need to Know

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I would personally be surprised and embarrassed if you visited Ireland and didn’t add the Chest of Kells to your list of attractions. As an alumnus of Trinity, I know the immense pleasure you can derive from exploring this iconic manuscript.

Interestingly, people don’t just go to the Book of Kells to look at books; It’s about the whole experience. Only 10% are books.

It will surprise you, this fantastic book is 1200 years old and is one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. If you are planning to visit the Book of Kells, let me be your guide to ensure the perfect experience.

Why is the book of Kells famous?

You need to know that, the Book of Kells is originally written in Latin and is named in reference to a town in County Meath, Ireland. But surprisingly, it actually comes from Scotland. It is closely connected with St. Colum Seal, who established a house of prayer on the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland in 563 CE.

The book came to Ireland during the Viking raids at the end of the 9th century, when many of the island’s monks were killed. The remains of the monks moved to mainland Ireland and brought the book with them.

During Oliver Cromwell’s invasion, the Book of Kells was sent to Dublin for its protection. In 1661, Bishop Henry Jones handed over the book to Trinity College, where it is still put on display.

Despite its being so old, the book is well preserved, with only a few pages missing. Interestingly, the Book of Kells is not just a book to read, rather It is a beautiful piece of art.

However, you only have a short time to enjoy this part of the museum and you can’t take photos in Kells’ dark room. But you can take pictures in the museum and the Old Library.

The Book of Kells is not the only reason to visit this museum. If you love books, the old library will amaze you! Its architectural design resembles that of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts library. This “Long Room” holds 200,000 books.

When It Opens:

You don’t need to worry about opining time, as the Book of Kells is open all year round. You can visit whenever you want . However, if you want to stay out of the crowds, don’t go during peak season. First time slots in the morning are a good option to beat the crowd.

Here are the normal opening hours:

April to September: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Sunday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM)

October to March: 9:30 AM to 5 PM (Sunday: 12 PM to 4:30 PM)

Entry Fee:

Entry fees to The Book of Kells and Old Library are a bit expensive. If you are an adult, you pay €18.50. Your ticket is included in the package

• The Book of Kells and the Old Library
• Long room
• The Secret Life of Collections
• Book of Kells 360
• The Long Room reimagined

To book your tickets for the event, see their website.

How to Visit Book of Kells

The Book of Kells is inside the old library of Trinity College Dublin, located in the center of Dublin city. As it is in the center of Dublin, you can easily get there by bus, train, tram, DART or taxi.

It is very easy to find and well accessible to everything.

How to Enjoy the Book of Kells

Visiting Trinity College and the Book of Kells is very simple and easy, but knowing a few things can make your trip a little more easy and enjoyable:

1. Visitors: You may be surprised by the number of tourists visiting university complexes and museums. Since this is a top tourist spot in the capital city, expect it to be crowded.
2. Ticket Booking: It is better to book your tickets a few days before your visit to save time. If you can’t, don’t worry! You can book on the spot and get an available time slot. Use your waiting time to explore the grounds of Trinity College.
3. Bring your headphones: Visiting is more fun with headphones. Download the free Book of Kells audio tour, which is included with your ticket.
4. No heavy bags: There are no lockers for large bags or suitcases, so bring only small bags. They are allowed.
5. Timing: You don’t need a whole day for this tour. Kells book only takes 30-45 minutes to look through.
6. Packing: As I told several times in other stories, the weather in Ireland is unpredictable, so pack accordingly. Bring a rain jacket.
7. Parking: Try not to take the car to Trinity College. Actually, there is no parking for visitors. You can park near Q-Park Setanta. To avoid traffic, a car is not the best option.

Souvenir

Before leaving Trinity College, you can look around the gift shop for interesting souvenirs.

These souvenirs will remind you of your visit to the Book of Kells. There are replica manuscripts and fine decorative items that are inspired by Celtic motifs.

Visiting the Book of Kells is a journey through time, art and history. It gives a deep insight into the historical heritage of Ireland. By thoroughly planning your visit and fully engrossing yourself in the experience, you can create experiences that will stay with you a lifetime.

So, embark on this literary pilgrimage and let the illuminated pages of the Book of Kells ignite your imagination and captivate your soul.