Dublin’s famous Trinity College is planning to completely revamp its attraction to visit its Old Library and the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 9th century. A three-year restoration project will provide a new and unique experience, offering a fascinating dive into the heart of Irish history. Called the “Book of Kells Experience”, this new kind of attraction promises to be a sight to behold!
It’s official: the prestigious Irish university of Trinity College, Dublin, is set to revolutionize the way the Book of Kells is discovered. While the Old Library is currently undergoing a 3-year renovation program, the university intends to take advantage of this opportunity to create a new tourist attraction, featuring medieval books.
The Book of Kells is considered a jewel of Irish heritage. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors who come to admire its calligraphic and illuminated pages. A truly exceptional experience!
The Book of Kells Experience
But Trinity College University, which has been hosting the attraction for years, has decided to take advantage of its current renovations to completely rethink the attraction dedicated to the medieval book… and to do so, Trinity College has decided to go all out!
The Book of Kells Experience will take shape in a dedicated pavilion. Visitors will be welcomed into an immersive environment and offered a 360-degree experience, with stories, sounds and visuals drawn from the period of the manuscript. All of this will be enhanced by a state-of-the-art digital reconstruction, highlighting the Book of Kells’ fine illustrations and vivid colors.
The Book of Kells in its new showcase
What’s more, this pavilion takes you on a journey through the history of the Book, from its origins in Iona, Scotland, to its arrival in Dublin, via Kells, retracing up to 1,200 years of history!
The highly promising Book of Kells Experience will not be limited to the Book of Kells, but will extend to a presentation of the major works and manuscripts in Trinity College’s library.
Historical highlights, such as the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916, will come to life before visitors’ eyes, alongside sculptures of historical and literary figures.
Other major manuscripts, stored here in the Vieilel Bibliothèque, will also be presented, and exhibitions dedicated to historical periods will be featured.
The initiative for this new attraction is described by Trinity College Dublin as an essential component of the conservation work undertaken for the Old Library.
These efforts will ensure the longevity of the centuries-old building and the preservation of its collections for generations to come. Trinity College’s Old Library is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!
Profits from ticket sales will be reinvested in the university, supporting its educational mission and its renovation and conservation programs.
The opening of the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College Dublin is eagerly awaited, but no date has yet been announced. We’ll probably have to wait until the 3-year restoration of the Long Room is complete before the Book of Kells Experience also comes to life.
In the meantime, visit the attraction’s website to find out more: VisitTrinity.ie.
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