Category: Book of Kells

Dublin’s Literary Heritage: Writers, places and stories explored on foot

Posted on by kevinbrowne

Dublin as a Literary City Dublin’s literary heritage is defined by leading figures and Trinity College Dublin graduates such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and pioneering female writers like Eavan Boland, Sally Rooney and Anne Enright. Many of the manuscripts, archives and  collections of these world-renowned writers are preserved in the […]
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Irish designed Mother’s Day gifts Thoughtful keepsakes from Trinity College Dublin

Posted on by lucycahill
A woman wearing a black t shirt, with a silver ring and silver bracelet

Mother’s Day is a moment to celebrate and honour mothers or mother figures in our lives. It’s our way of showing gratitude for all they do for us. For some, it’s an opportunity to say thank you with something personal and to show appreciation with something special. If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day, at Trinity […]
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Things to Do in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Festival

Posted on by lucycahill

For many visitors, attending the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin is a bucket list experience. The St. Patrick’s Festival transforms Dublin into a city alive with music, colour and storytelling leading up to St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday 17th March 2026, with the parade on the day itself and celebrations throughout the month. Use […]
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St Brigid’s Day Ireland – Celebrating women in Irish History

Posted on by lucycahill
Three women in an old library looking at a white marble sculpture of a woman.

St Brigid’s Day in Ireland, celebrated on the 1st of February, marks Imbolc, the ancient Irish festival that welcomes spring and the return of light. Often understood to mean “in the belly”, Imbolc reflects the themes of new life, hope and renewal. It now holds a special place as Ireland’s first public holiday dedicated to […]
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Six Nations Rugby Dublin: Things to Do & Match Weekend Ideas

Posted on by lucycahill
A large stadium featuring a distinctive curved roof, showcasing modern architectural design.

Dublin comes alive during the Six Nations Rugby tournament. From packed pubs and buzzing streets to a surge of visiting rugby fans from across Europe and beyond, the city offers far more than match day excitement alone. Whether you’re travelling from elsewhere in Ireland or flying in from abroad, a Dublin Six Nations Rugby weekend […]
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The extraordinary journey of the Book of Kells

Posted on by ebow
Image from The Book of Kells

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. […]
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Symbolism in the Book of Kells: the Chi Rho page

Posted on by Kevin Keane
Chi Rho page

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, […]
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One day in Dublin: a local’s guide

Posted on by Kevin Keane
Image of a woman standing in front of the Gaia display, admiring the surroundings in the Long Room

In this blog, we’re sharing local knowledge to help you make the most of 1 day in Dublin, with an itinerary that captures the city’s vibrant culture, ensuring your time in Ireland’s capital is truly unforgettable. It’s walkable, so you won’t need to worry about public transport or traffic. Plus, it’s packed with variety, giving […]
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5 Surprising Facts about the Book of Kells and Old Library: Insights from a Library Guard

Posted on by Kevin Keane
Library Guard Shauna in the Old Library wearing black trousers, a belt and white shirt

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 […]
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Why is the Book of Kells important?

Posted on by Kevin Keane
Enlarged pages from the Book of Kells in an exhibition

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 […]
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Historical landmarks on Trinity’s Front Square

Posted on by Kevin Keane
Trinity's Front Square with trees and rows of 18th century building.

“It will last until endless future times” Trinity’s motto, while perhaps too profound to reflect the typical undergraduate education, is a convenient phrase in a piece like this. Founded in 1592 and now home to 19,000 students, centuries of history have left their impression on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin. Today’s campus resembles a […]
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Insular Majuscule

Posted on by ebow
details of pages from the book of kells manuscript

The formal script in the Book of Kells is known as ‘Insular majuscule’. The Insular script that developed in Ireland spread to Anglo-Saxon England and continental Europe as the Irish monks carried out their missionary work. It was based on scripts from antiquity but adapted so that the detached letters were easy to read with […]
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