Trinity College Library

During our visit to Ireland, we had the good fortune to visit Trinity College in Dublin and see the Book of Kells. An absolutely amazing illustrated manuscript of the four gospels dating from the 9th century. And this is not the only amazing old book they have there at Trinity College. They've been building their collection for hundreds of years! Wow. They're definitely bibliophilists!

From Trinity's web site at: About the Library

Trinity College Library is the largest library in Ireland. Its collections of manuscripts and printed books have been built up since the end of the sixteenth century. In addition to the purchases and donations of almost four centuries, since 1801 the Library has had the right to claim all British and Irish publications under the terms of successive Copyright Acts. The bookstock is now over four million volumes and there are extensive collections of manuscripts, maps and music.

The Library has a triple rôle. As a university library it serves the needs of the College's undergraduate and postgraduate students and of the academic staff; it is also a research library of international repute, making available much rare material to scholars from all parts of the world. In addition, it provides an information service to government departments, to research organisations and to technical, industrial and commercial bodies within Ireland.