Trinity College Dublin

With its handsome Georgian and classical architecture, the Trinity College campus is a top destination for visitors to the Irish capital. Sightseers can tour the grounds independently or join a guided tour. Most walking tours of Dublin city center include Trinity College, along with other neighboring landmarks, such as the General Post Office (GPO), the Molly Malone statue, and Dublin Castle.

The campus is also home to several standalone attractions including Dublin’s Science Gallery and the Zoological Museum, though the biggest crowd-pleaser is the Book of Kells in the Old Library, visitable for a small fee.

• Founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 for the exclusive use of Protestant men, the university now welcomes all religions and genders.

• Book an entrance ticket in advance or sign up for an early-access guided tour to see the Book of Kells without the lines and crowds.

• As a large portion of the campus is open-air, bring an umbrella and waterproof layer in case of rain.

• The parts of Trinity College Dublin visited on a tour are wheelchair accessible, though there are some cobblestones outside the library.

Trinity College is south of Dublin city center, near pedestrian-only Grafton Street. Take the Luas Green Line tram to Stephen’s Green, the Luas Red Line tram to Abbey Street, or the DART train to Dublin Pearse station. From all three, the walk to campus is less than 10 minutes.

Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the midday rush. If you plan on seeing the Book of Kells, buy a Trinity College Library ticket in advance, or be prepared to wait in line. Student-led, 30-minute campus tours, which depart from the Main Gate, are available in the summer.

Trinity’s headline attraction is the illustrated 9th-century manuscript known as the Book of Kells. The illuminated manuscript of the four gospels was created by Irish monks, who painstakingly covered each page in elaborate and colorful Celtic-inspired imagery. Four pages from two volumes of the book are displayed in glass cabinets at Trinity College’s Old Library, which also contains an exhibition chronicling the book's creation and storied history.

Trinity College is known as one of Ireland’s highest ranked universities, and it’s also the country’s oldest. The Trinity College Library is a popular attraction for international visitors and houses The Book of Kells, which is on display.

If you don’t have a car to drive to Trinity College from Dublin Airport (DUB), take a taxi. Other options include the Airlink bus: Take route 747 and get off at College Green Street, near the main entrance. You also can take the Aircoach; route 700 goes directly to Dublin’s city center.

Yes, you can visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Although the college is free to enter, the Book of Kells requires an admission ticket. Lines can be long, so it’s best to plan ahead and purchase your ticket in advance. Fast-track entry also is available.

Dublin’s Trinity College Library is open to visitors on the weekdays, typically from between 8am to 6pm. Plan ahead for your visit, as the Trinity Library also is closed during certain times, such as exam periods.

Yes, you can book a guided walking tour of Dublin’s Trinity College campus, or choose to pay for the school’s Trinity Trails self-guided tour that leads you to 14 points of interest across the campus. You can add The Book of Kells Experience to the campus tour, too.

Yes, the school houses the Book of Kells and is close to several famous landmarks, including Dublin Castle, which is about an 18-minute walk away. Alternatively, take a quick bus or taxi ride to the National Museum of Ireland or Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison turned museum—both are nearby.