Library of Trinity College Dublin, University library within Trinity College, Ireland
The Library of Trinity College Dublin is a university library in central Dublin, Ireland. The main reading room stretches a considerable length and contains dark wooden shelves reaching up to the vaulted ceiling, holding around 200,000 historical volumes.
The library was founded in 1592 under Queen Elizabeth I and began as a small collection. Over time it grew into the largest book repository in Ireland, now holding many medieval manuscripts and rare prints.
The Brian Boru harp sits behind glass and shows the handcrafted woodwork of Irish oak that shaped the national emblem for centuries. Visitors can view the carved decorations and worn timber up close.
The library opens daily from 9:30 AM, with some areas offering different access times. Students have round-the-clock spaces available during examination periods.
Visitors often overlook that a second level sits directly above the main reading room, originally designed to store and protect books from moisture. This upper gallery was later used for extra shelves and is now part of the accessible route.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
