Last Visited in 2018
Ireland’s lively capital city is a great place to experience Irish culture with easy-to-walk streets and a mix of historic and modern buildings.
- Trinity College
- Parliament Square
- Old Library
- Book of Kells
- Long Room
- Arnaldo Pomodoro’s Sphere Within Sphere
- Guinness Brewery
- Dinner in Brazen Head
Trinity College – Located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Founded in 1592, it is known for its beautiful historic campus and the impressive Long Room Library, which houses thousands of ancient books, including the Book of Kells. We began our tour of Dublin with a visit to this iconic college, which offers visitors a glimpse into Ireland’s academic history and cultural heritage.
Trinity College, Parliament Square – is the heart of Trinity College, a beautiful cobbled square featuring iconic buildings like the Old Library (home to the Book of Kells), the Chapel, and the famous Campanile, serving as a central hub for the university’s academic and visitor experience amidst Dublin’s city life. The Campanile is one of the university’s most iconic landmarks and serves as its main bell tower. Completed in 1853, it is 30.5 meters (100 feet) tall, and is primarily built of granite, with decorative carvings made from Portland stone. The Campanile houses the Great Bell of Trinity, which is rung before degree ceremonies and examinations.
Trinity College, Old Library – is part of the Library of Trinity College Dublin, which includes several libraries across the campus. The Old Library is the most famous of them and is best known for housing the Book of Kells, the Long Room, and other important Irish historical artifacts.
Old Library, Book of Kells – is an illuminated Celtic Gospel manuscript created around 800 AD in a Columban monastery in Ireland or Scotland. Written in Latin, it contains the four Gospels of the New Testament along with decorative texts and tables. The manuscript is celebrated for its richly detailed illustrations featuring Christian symbolism, Celtic knots, animals, and mythical figures. Made from high-quality calf vellum and written by multiple scribes using iron gall ink and imported pigments, the Book of Kells is named after the Abbey of Kells, where it was kept for centuries. Today, it is displayed at Trinity College Library in Dublin, and shows two pages at any one time, rotated every 12 weeks. A full digital version is available online.
Old Library, Long Room – is one of the most impressive library halls in the world. Built in the 18th century, it stretches nearly 65 meters and is lined with thousands of ancient books and marble busts of famous writers and thinkers. Its dark wood shelves and barrel-vaulted ceiling make it a highlight for visitors to Trinity College.
Trinity College, Arnaldo Pomodoro’s Sphere Within Sphere – is a striking bronze sculpture located outside the Eavan Boland Library. Created by the renowned Italian sculptor, the artwork features a fractured outer sphere revealing a complex inner core, symbolizing the tension between order and chaos. It is a popular spot for photo opportunities for both visitors and students alike.
Guinness Brewery – Located at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, the brewery is a historic site and one of the city’s top tourist attractions. Founded in 1759 when Arthur Guinness famously signed a 9,000-year lease, the brewery grew to become the world’s largest by 1886. Today, visitors can explore the Guinness Storehouse, a multi-floor experience that showcases the history, brewing process, and advertising of Guinness, ending with a pint at the Gravity Bar, which offers panoramic views of Dublin.
We embarked on a guided tour through the seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse, and learnt to pour our own pint along the way. We finished the tour with a pint of Guinness at the Gravity bar. This tour is offered only for people over the age of 18 and in English only.
Dinner at The Brazen Head – Ireland’s oldest pub in Dublin, The Brazen Head serves traditional Irish pub fare in a historic and lively setting. We chose this spot mainly for its rich atmosphere and history, and while expectations should be set for classic pub food rather than fine dining, the food was quite good.
