Our last full day in Dublin kept our streak of sun and blue sky going. It started off quite crisp but warmed up to a very comfortable 13C/56F. A semi brisk walk through the gardens of St. Patrick’s on our way to Trinity College.
(a picture of a picture hence the red line)
Started in 1592 by Elizabeth I (daughter of Henry VIII) as a University for Protestants in Ireland, Trinity College is one of oldest universities in the world (can you guess the oldest? Answer at the end).
Our visit was to see the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript and Celtic Gospel book in Latin containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. Although details surrounding its creation are a bit murky, consensus has it being made around 800 AD and subsequently surviving various relocations and poor handling before arriving at Trinity in 1661. It is comprised of 340 folios resulting in 680 pages written on high quality calf vellum. In 1953 the original “book” was separated and rebound in four separate volumes.
Pictures of the book in its humidity controlled glass case were not permitted hence no photos here. Suffice to say it is incredible in its detailed artwork.
The second part of the tour involved visiting the university’s library called The Long Room. At nearly 65 metres in length, it is normally filled with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. Since 1801 the Library had been given the right to claim a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland hence the massive collection.
In 1743 14 Marble busts of great philosophers and writers were added to the Long Room. The collection now exceeds 50. The finest antique bust in the collection is of the writer Jonathan Swift by Louis Francois Roubiliac.
Another treasure in the Long Room is one of the few remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic which set off the Easter Rebellion, eventually leading to Ireland’s independence in 1922.
There is also a medieval (late 1400’s) harp on display known as the Brian Boru harp. It’s the oldest of its kind in Ireland.
More wandering through central Dublin to wrap up the day. We’re approaching 60,000 steps in 2 1/2 days without having seen a golf course! Fingers crossed the weather holds as we start our journey out of the city on Monday.
Oldest university – Bologna, 1088
The Bennetts On Tour 