Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I on the grounds of an Augustinian priory that was a victim of the dissolution. Trinity College even today dominates the city landscape and the oldest buildings (the brick-built "Rubrics") date from 1700. Most of the impressive buildings were built during the renovation phase of 1759. Trinity College Library is home to more than an million books and priceless manuscripts, the most famous being the "Book of Kells" please be advised that during the summer long queues may form.
Upon finding Trinity College next to Dublin City's busiest (and permanently clogged) intersection most visitors go "Ah ... this is it?" The façade of the Bank of Ireland right across the road is more imposing, true. But the classical view of Trinity College is actually hidden behind the small wooden doors that are the original entrance. Pass through them and you will see the glorious campanile, built by Charles Lanyon, in front of the old Rubrics. This is the view that launched a thousand postcards!
You are now in Parliament Square. The red-brick Rubrics are the oldest buildings here (with the Dutch gables being a later addition), the Examination Hall and the Chapel are exact mirror images of each other.
Signs will guide you towards "The Book of Kells", or rather the Old Library, the entrance is in Fellow's Square. The building is another of Trinity's favorite postcard views. 200,000 antiquarian books, busts of writers and philosophers and "Brian Boru's Harp" (which, contrary to its name, is considerably less than a thousand years old) are in the collection and on display. Pride of place, however, goes to the magnificent "Book of Kells", an illuminated edition of the gospels and arguably the most famous book on earth.
Be warned: You will only see two pages of the book, on display behind glass. Whether the usually long wait and the high entrance fee are worth it is ultimately your decision. I would recommend signing up for a guided tour at the entrance, this will give you a good overview and includes the admission to the Old Library. And if you would actually like to look at the Book of Kells up close - the museum in Kells (County Meath) has an excellent replica.
Trinity's main entrance
The Campanile
The Library
Book of Kells
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