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Visit Trinity College of Dublin.

College Green, Dublin - County Dublin - Republic of Ireland

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Trinity College à Dublin - © Robert Wilson

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History of Trinity College
- A prestigious university opened in 1592 by Elizabeth I
Visit Trinity College

Impossible to miss: Trinity College is Dublin’s one and only university open to visitors. Renowned for the quality of its teaching, as well as for the rare books jealously guarded in its library, this school is a veritable institution. It welcomes thousands of visitors every year, and offers a wide range of courses to students from all over the world!

History of Trinity College

A prestigious university opened in 1592 by Elizabeth I

Trinity college, Dublin – © Kit Leong

Considered one of Europe’s top universities, Trinity College has enjoyed a prestigious reputation for centuries. Opened in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the Dublin school is said to have welcomed many talented pupils, as well as some of the greatest names in Irish history, such as Theobald Wolfe Tone and writer Samuel Beckett.

Originally, the university only admitted Protestant students, but in 1793 it began to tolerate the presence of Catholics. At that time, only men were admitted to the school, and it wasn’t until 1904 that women were able to join in.

From the outset, Trinity College was particularly selective, accepting within its walls only the elite and the most promising students. The courses on offer were as diverse as they were varied, and each student was destined for a promising future career.

Over the centuries, the university gradually expanded, constructing new buildings to offer more courses to more students. (So you’re likely to discover some very old buildings, as well as some very modern ones).

Today, Trinity College has lost none of its prestige: every year, it provides 13,000 students from Ireland and all over the world with the most comprehensive education possible. Because of its history, it also welcomes thousands of visitors, who come to discover the school and the treasures of its library (including the Book of Kells).

Visit Trinity College

Main courtyard

Sphere with Sphere at Trinity College, Dublin – William Murphy – cc

Trinity College is fairly easy to get to if you’re in Dublin itself.

Located in the city center, the university faces the Old Irish Parliament (now owned by the Bank of Ireland).

Access is open to all (if only for the main courtyard). Many visitors come here to soak up the magic of the place.

The courtyard itself is rather grandiose: its architecture is imposing and majestic. You can feel the prestige of the university, with its historical heritage and the great names of the past who have studied here. The incessant comings and goings of students and visitors make it a teeming place: you can hear every language spoken, and the ambient bustle is rather pleasant.

Don’t miss out on Trinity College’s bell tower, as well as its old buildings in typical Victorian style. Numerous statues and sculptures dot the main courtyard. Among them, don’t miss “Sphere with Sphere”, created in 1982 by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. It’s a little jewel of contemporary art, composed of two interlocking spheres with mechanical gears. A true marvel, with a gift for captivating and fascinating!

Feel free to wander around the outdoor areas as you please: you’ll discover a huge university! Trinity College stretches over several hectares and even has a few buildings a little out of the way. Not all are worth the detour. But there are a few must-haves! Among them, don’t miss :

The Old Library

Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library – © VanderWolf Images

If there’s one popular site in Dublin, it’s the old Trinity College library! Known as“The Old Library” or “The Long Room“, this building is considered a national treasure!

It is of course possible to visit it.

A library worthy of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter saga! The place is magical, with its vaulted wooden ceilings, its double storey, and its shelves filled with old books, some of which date back to the 15th century!

The magic of the place quickly becomes apparent: the library is a concentration of history, knowledge and great authors. The presence of sculpted busts representing the great writers of history are a vibrant testimony to this!

Among the other curiosities of the Old Library, don’t miss Brian Boru’s harp, which is displayed on the left-hand side of the library: this object is a true marvel! This historic treasure is said to have belonged to an eminent Irish king, famous for his victory over the Vikings in the 10th century!

Finally, the icing on the cake: the library is world-famous for having the famous Book of Kells within its walls. This is a medieval manuscript, entirely calligraphed and illuminated by hand. The latter is considered a national treasure, and has been remarkably well preserved.

The Book of Kells – Gerhard Huber – cc

You can admire it after you’ve explored the library: the book is displayed in a secure showcase, allowing you to admire a double-page spread. You’ll discover the finesse of medieval calligraphy, the quality of the colors used, and the incredible skill of the Irish monks of the time in using gold leaf.

A marvel, even if the attraction attracts a lot of people every day. Take your time, as there may be a wait to discover it. (Remember to book online to avoid the queue).

Finally, there’s a shop where you can pick up a little something from Trinity (T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, books, etc.). Prices are rather expensive, but the products are of high quality. The souvenir ideas are great, and may give you ideas for gifts for your loved ones!

Trinity College’s secret places

Underground tunnels

Although most of the university’s main areas are open to the public and students, there are secret hideaways everywhere! And there are many theories and speculations about them!

For example, Trinity College’s Lecky Library in the Arts Department would be linked to the Berkeley Library by an underground tunnel. Although the tunnel was opened in 1995, few people know where the entrance is!

There are rumors of several other connecting tunnels under the university, such as the one linking the provost’s house to Stephen’s Green, passing under Grafton Street. Trinity News editor Matthew Mulligan went to explore this and pointed out a closed tunnel near the provost’s stables, accessible through the college’s arts block.

The underground wine cellar

According to popular rumor, there’s an underground wine cellar located beneath Front Square, with a supposed entrance next to the college’s food hall, The Buttery.

For the record, a group of Trinity College students discovered it in the 1980s. It would be located under “House 10” on the campus. At the time, the youngsters would have taken advantage of the opportunity to steal bottles of wine on a regular basis… But this was without counting on the university authorities, who realized this and took the necessary steps to stop the thefts.

One hypothesis is that the wine cellar could be connected to the Royal College of Surgeons by a tunnel. The latter has a real historical value, since it was here, in this tunnel, that many munitions were smuggled during the Easter uprising of 1916.

There’s even a university-wide superstition that a select few students enter the wine cellar each year on the night of the Trinity Ball, before the festivities begin.

The 1937 Reading Room

Here’s another confidential room. This reading room is located in the front square of Trinity College, but remains unknown to the public and students alike. Firstly, because it is reserved for post-graduate students.

Nevertheless, it was used for the filming of the 1996 movie Michael Collins. This is where the debate scenes were filmed.

The shape of the room is octagonal. It serves as a memorial to the university students who fought in the First World War. The proof is in the names inscribed inside the room.