Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, it was one of the earliest Irish colleges and the oldest in continuous operation . . . that now enrolls 20,000 students. The home of Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and writers of the Game of Thrones, it was, and probably is, the college of the elites, founded to promote the ascendancy of Protestantism. Two of the sports featured at Trinity College are cricket and rugby, though at least 50 clubs (sports) are offered, including American football. They also have numerous societies (what we would call clubs), including a Card and Bridge Society, several debate societies, a film society, and a dance society. The oldest building on campus is a red brick dormitory - the Rubrics - which was probably built in the early 1700s. All of the other buildings are made of limestone. Reminded us a bit of Goodnow and Marlatt Halls on the KSU campus, except that the builder of the Rubrics did not receive kickbacks! The bell tower is a beautiful piece of architecture in the center of the main square, and it is surrounded by a large area of green space. The campus reminded us a bit of Princeton, a bit of KSU, and a bit of neither.

One of the buildings at Trinity College has a beautiful wainscoat outside, comprised on hand-carbed blocks of 640 flowers found in Ireland. Within the blocks not one flower is repeated. We can't imagine the cost of doing that now . . .hand-carved limestone. Wow!

After taking the tour, we visited the Book of Kells, which is an iluminated manuscript of the four Biblical gospels. It is a 9" x 13" book - I had expected something much larger - that is turned to two pages, which is changed every month or two. Unfortunately, the two pages we saw were not as ornate as some others. But they were still beautiful, and the information about how the Book of Kells came to be, how it was saved several times from ruination, and how the monks made the paint for the manuscript. Then we went into the Long Hall - the old library - that houses the earliest books. Because they are doing a major renovation of the library, we were only able to see a few stacks filled with books, but imaging the entire library full was beyond comprehension.

WIthin the library are housed two important objects: the declaration of Independence from the British dated in 1916 and the Brian Boru harp in Ireland, which is also the symbol of the beer, Guinness. Fascinating to see all of them. Also hanging from the ceiling is a picture of the world taken from space . . . such a beautiful planet. At first I was irrtated that I had booked a tour of the campus, along with the Book of Kells, on the wrong day! But, they were very gracious and allowed us to take the tour and see the book, and the fascinating tour was well worth the money! I don't know of any US colleges, however, who charge to take a tour of their campus!!!