Book of Kells @Trinity Collage

It's been a long time i wanted to visit the Old Library in the Trinity Collage and somehow never got the chance, until now. Have a look to see more about my experience 

Should I book online or make the queue...well it depends. I booked online as i had to catch the bus to Cork and did not have a lot of time, but if you can go early in the morning (which btw i strongly recommend) I don't think you'll spend a lot of time queuing. 

What is the Book of Kells? 

"is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created in a Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland and may have had contributions from various Columban institutions from both Britain and Ireland. It is believed to have been created c. 800 AD. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure." (Source)

Materials & Methods used 

Some Elements: Triskels & Spirals 

My impression 

It was far too crowded to enjoy. I was disappointed as i expect if you theoretically have a certain number of people per hour that can enter to be able to be able to read the information available on the walls. But this clearly depends when you go, i went there at 13:00 on a Wednesday and I felt everyone pushing around and instead of making sure everyone has her/hist time with the information/pictures available they were getting in front of you and so on. At the book table itself i don't even want to mention it anymore. So either be lucky and go when very few are there, or better don't go.   

The Old Library 

This is of course also crowded, but at least with the super tall walls and big room does not give you the same crowded feeling of being pushed around in the museum area before the Book of Kells room. If you like special libraries you'll for sure like it, and even if maybe you won't get to take the best photos that you see going around the internet it will still offer you the feeling of you being tiny in that huge room. Below you can see some of my pictures. 

Hope I did not ruin your mood of getting into the library, I am not saying you should not go, i am just saying to make sure to go when it is a bit less crowded and arm yourself with patience if you can only go in peak days/hours