Book of Kells Library @Trinity

Mary:
I had a wonderful trip to Dublin a few years ago. I posted a trip report on TripAdvisor. I can send you a link if you like; send me a message..

Yes, I also saw the Book of Kells. I think it was included in the ticket for the tour of Trinity College -- don't quite remember.

As for the Book of Kells, maybe I did not have a full appreciation of what I was looking at, but there were tons of crowds (May), and you see a book that is encased in glass.

The Library truly was magnificent and beautiful. I took hundreds of pictures. There is quite a system of how the books are filed; you need to pay attention to some of the smaller detail to realize there is a system. The library is definitely worth a visit.

You see very little of the actual book of Kells (2 pages). Pictures of the old library are allowed if no flash.

This exhibit was a major bust for me. I would not go again and found myself wishing I hadn’t invested time and money to go this time. I was there when it opened and even then crowds made it difficult to see anything.

Just as Carol says. Now, if you'd like to see more than 2 pages of old, beautifully illuminated manuscript and if you don't insist on standing in a long line, then consider going to the Chester Beatty Library . It's next to the Dublin Castle which you were going to anyway, right? The Library has a very large collection of manuscripts: some Irish, some European and some really outstanding ones from Asia. We walked right in. I think there were about 5 other people in a room full of displays and much, much larger than that for Kells. The breadth and beauty of the exhibited works is amazing. Oh, and RS recommends it with 2 triangles, same as Kells/Trinity Library.

Actual book, but only the 2 pages they have it opened to at the time. The page changes periodically. When I went in 2010 photos were prohibited in the library. No idea about now.

I really enjoyed theBook of Kells. Reading about the story and how it came to be. The Long library is just breath taking. You can take pictures in the Long library just no flash. No pics in the book of Kells section.

We were just there a few weeks ago. We had tickets for the first timed entry in the morning. Once inside we walked quickly past everyone looking at the exhibits and Book of Kells and went to the library first to take pictures before the crowds. The lighting was not the greatest for photos but it was lovely to have some alone time in the library. We then retraced out steps to see the exhibit and the Book of Kells.

You get a combined ticket as the library is right above the book. You can't actually access the selves--only graduate students-- but you aren't more than a few feet away.

I was truly impressed with the library.

We were there in October 2015. We went on a short walking tour of Trinity College that included admission to the Library and the Book of Kells. We just walked up and signed up. Cost was €13. A student took us around and he was really good. I enjoyed the Long Room in the Library very much. We could take photos, no flash. The Book of Kells was OK, it's in glass and you see just whatever 2 pages they have it opened to. It was crowded, you kinda walked around it and that was it. I'm glad I went, but don't need to see it again.

I visited a month ago. There was a very long line when I arrived without a ticket. But I fortunately happened upon online ticket machine kiosks in a nearby building (near the cafe) where I bought a timed entry ticket with my credit card. The next time available was in 5 minutes, so I skipped the line and went right in. I enjoyed the explanatory exhibit, the brief look at the book, and the library.

I was just there in late June and the Book of Kells was the only disappointment of the entire trip. They only display 2 pages and the ones on display were not the colorful, fancy ones you see in pictures. The exhibit may be informative, but even though we were there early morning the rooms were so crowded you were unable to get to the actual display to see anything. However, the library was fabulous; be sure to notice the ancient harp. You are allowed to take no flash photos. It made the whole visit worthwhile.

I was disappointed by the Book of Kells - very dim lighting and longish lines (August 2014). But I forgot all about it when I got up to the library. I have photos of the library, so taking photos was permitted. It's a beautiful old building with many leather-bound volumes that look to be centuries-old. The stacks are roped off, but quite visible. The really old manuscripts are not on display. My guide was a university professor who had just spent a year doing research there. He explained that it was quite difficult even for a researcher to get access - and then almost only for those books that haven't yet been digitally photographed. Each time, he'd have to reserved weeks in advance, then wear special gloves to handle the book in a very controlled environment. Getting a copy of a page (even for those stored digitally) was frightfully expensive. I believe there's no time limit on how long you stay in the library - I was rushed through because it was part of a group tour and we had an unplanned wait to enter the exhibition with the Book of Kells.

BTW the National Archaeology Museum (free) is nearby and a wow.

I just returned from Dublin and I would echo the others. The Book of Kells is a disappointment. The display is dark and small. I couldn't even get close enough to get a good look at it. I found myself looking around the room and saying 'is that it?' I have a degree in art history and have seen dozens of illuminated manuscripts that are better displayed.

But my real reason for going was to see the library, and that was worthwhile. Cellphone cameras should work ok. If you take a DSLR, you will need to try to brace it on something to get a good shot. There are a few chairs and rope posts that I used to rest my camera on.

We hadn't planned on seeing the Book of Kell's but dropped in on an afternoon in May 2015 and there was no line.
Even though you only see 2 pages of the actual book I found the exhibit to be extremely interesting and informative. Top it off with the stunning library and it's a very worthwhile visit IMO. Probably depends on crowds and your level of interest.
Second the recommendation for the Archaeology Museum. It's wonderful.

When you sign up online for a specific date and time for the Book of Kells, how long does one have to stay visiting the various sites? Do they shoo you out after a set time to allow the next bunch of visitors?

You can stay as long as you want. No one encourages you to leave