Trinity College host the Book of Kells exhibit. A historic set of books, remarkable in the quality and condition, and the stunning colours used.
It’s wise to book tickets online prior to arriving. The lineup I saw who had not booked was quite long, and this was at opening time.
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The Book of Kells exhibit does not allow photography, so sorry, you can check it online here, or visit. For me, the exhibit was professional and engaging, explaining the process in detail of how it would have been created.
And then, you walk upstairs to the Old Library. Wow. The library outshone the Book of Kells for me. Stunningly beautiful, grand, and easily recognisable as holding some very historic books. Conversation with a guide there discovered that the Students of Trinity College have access to these books for their research. Handlers retrieve the books and place them on special stands for the students; but I was impressed that the books were not simply “on show”.
The guide mentioned there were free tours of the college available from the entry point, hosted by past students; so once I had enjoyed the library, I made my way to the entry again, joined a guided tour and thoroughly enjoyed that tour from the prospective of someone who had spent years studying there.
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Attending such “attractions” is wholely subjective to your interests. I can see how some people thought more or less of certain places, and sometimes you arrive with too high an expectation which encourages potential disappointment.
I went from here to Dublin Castle, then had a wander through the Chester Beatty Library, which I knew nothing about until I got there, and was a delightful surprise; then St Patricks Cathedral that left me a bit confused.
Sometimes, the top attractions are well founded, but make sure you know why you think you want to visit somewhere. Dublin helped me focus on this, which made the following weeks more enjoyable.
