The life of a monk, and the functioning of medieval monasteries, revolved around the production and reading of sacred texts. Many monks would have had their own small manuscript volume for personal use (called a ‘pocket Gospel’) while the great wealthy monasteries would have had larger format, beautifully-illustrated Gospels, such as the Book of Kells. […]
from The extraordinary journey of the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is known internationally as one of the finest surviving examples of early medieval art. But what exactly gives the 9th century manuscript, held in the Old Library of Trinity College Dublin, its renowned reputation? One of the most richly decorated pages of the Book of Kells, named the Chi Rho page, […]
from Symbolism in the Book of Kells: the Chi Rho page
The role of a Library Guard gives me a backstage pass to some of Ireland’s most loved historical treasures. There’s something about telling people I’m a Library Guard for the Book of Kells and Old Library that instantly sparks people’s curiosity. It’s not exactly your typical job title, and most people don’t even realise it’s […]
from 5 Surprising Facts about the Book of Kells and Old Library: Insights from a Library Guard
The Book of Kells is one of the most famous medieval manuscripts in the world, however people often ask “why is it so important?”. In this blog, I’ll delve into what makes the Book of Kells truly extraordinary and address some of the top questions I’ve encountered during my time as Visitor Services Manager at […]
from Why is the Book of Kells important?
Visitors to the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin can now enjoy a carefully curated collection of prints, illustrations, and other textile pieces created by Cuala Press Industries during the early 20th century. Access to the exhibition is included in a ticket to the Book of Kells Experience and it runs until 26 September 2024. […]
from Cuala Press Exhibition at the Old Library
The Old Library’s collections, spanning millennia, have been in our care for over 400 years. The Library now faces conservation challenges from pollution and dust accumulation.There is also an urgent need to improve fire protection and environmental controls. This once-in-a-lifetime event is called the Old Library Redevelopment Project.The project is applying 21st century design and […]
from Why have the books been removed from the Library at Trinity College Dublin?