How to Visit Trinity College Dublin
Read our travel guide on things to see and do in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Includes tips on how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Thanks to the Book of Kells, Long Room, and the gorgeous university itself, Trinity College is among the best things to do in Dublin.
With a history stretching back to 1592, this Ireland's highest-ranked university is a fascinating place to visit for all history enthusiasts and art and architecture admirers.
The grounds that surround this Ireland's leading university are open to the public, making it a must-stop on a visit to Dublin.
Therefore, it's a great place to visit for those looking for free things to do in Dublin.
Visiting Trinity College is very easy and straightforward. Still, there are a few important things you should know about Trinity College before you go.
What to See and Do
Though it's most well-known for being home to Book of Kells and Long Room, Trinity College is a great place to visit even if you don't plan on spending money on tickets.
Yes, you can freely roam the college grounds without spending a single dime, which is just another reason why Trinity College should make it on your Ireland itinerary.
However, most visitors come to Trinity College to see the ancient Book of Kells and the gorgeous Long Room full of books.
Trinity College
Trinity College Dublin was established in 1592 by royal charter and modeled after Oxford and Cambridge universities.
It was a time when many universities were founded troughout Western Europe, and Dublin was becoming the capital city of Ireland.
The English ruled on the island during the 1600s, and the idea of Trinity College that supported learning and strengthening the Protestant Reformation in this region was only logical.
The history of Trinity College Dublin is far more interesting, and we recommend taking one of the guided walks around the campus to discover more.
You will learn even more interesting facts about its remarkable history, famous students, and current development, but also discover some hidden corners of the campus.
By the way, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Beckett were among the most famous students at Trinity College.
Book of Kells
Being one of the top attractions in Ireland, the Book of Kells is a fantastic place to visit for all types of visitors.
The museum is divided into three separate sections, each providing a different experience.
History lovers will adore the first part of the Book of Kells experience, a well-laid-out museum containing interesting and informative exhibits on the Book of Kells.
The main highlight of the exhibition is the Book of Kells, which you can admire in the next part of the museum.
Written by monks in the 9th century, the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament.
At the end of the self-guided tour, you will step back in time into a Long Room, an old library with more than 200.000 books.
Even though a Book of Kells ticket is fairly expensive, we believe this museum is definitely worth seeing.
We recommend booking this tourist attraction in advance to avoid missing out.
Registration is easy and straightforward and should only take a couple of minutes. You will also receive a free audio guide with your ticket.
Long Room
Even though we've briefly mentioned the Old Library in the text above, we feel that Long Room deserves its separate section.
Also referred to as the Old Library, Long Room represents the final part of the Book of Kells Experience.
Here you can find another version of the Book of Kells, the 15th-century Brian Boru Harp made of oak and willow with 29 brass strings, or an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic.
On top of that, the 65-meter-long library is home to more than 200.000 books.
The main chamber, decorated with busts of famous scholars, philosophers, and writers, was built between 1712 and 1732.
All the shelves were filled with books by the 1850s. Although these are some interesting facts, they don't reflect that the Long Room library is simply stunning.
Be prepared that this is one of the most visited places in Dublin, so don't expect to have the library just for yourself.
Sphere Within Sphere
Also known as Sfera con sfera, this bronze sculpture is one of the hidden gems you can stumble upon when exploring the campus.
The sphere depicts the world itself and was created by the Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.
According to the artist, "the inner ball represents the Earth and outer ball represents Christianity".
You can find it in a small plaza in front of Berkeley Library.
An interesting piece of trivia is that different versions of this shiny sphere can be seen in cities across the world, such as New York, Rome, and Tel Aviv.
Douglas Hyde Gallery
Undoubtedly, Douglas Hyde Gallery is one of Trinity College's hidden gems.
The gallery is located on the university grounds, and you can visit it for free.
The wonderful space consists of two exhibition spaces featuring exciting works of contemporary art and allows you to enjoy modern exhibitions in a relaxing manner.
The exhibits are rotating, so make sure to check their website for the most current exhibit information.
As it's often common with contemporary art, each exhibit is highly unique and will provide a very different experience.
The official website also includes information on each exhibition to get a sense of what you will find there, as some of the modern art can be difficult to understand.
While Douglas Hyde Gallery is not a must-do, it's worth visiting for every art lover, especially on one of those Dublin's rainy days.
Opening Hours
Trinity College is open year-round, all days of the week. The Book of Kells and Old Library has seasonal opening times.
It is open from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM in summer, Monday to Saturday, and from 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Sundays.
Opening hours vary throughout the year, so check opening hours before your visit.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Trinity College grounds and Douglas Hyde Gallery, though you have to pay to enter the Book of Kells Experience and the Long Room.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, 30-60 minutes in Trinity College should be more than enough for those who want to just walk around the complex.
In case you want also to visit the Book of Kells Museum or even the Douglas Hyde Gallery, allow yourself about two hours for Trinity College.
If you're staying in Dublin for a few days, Trinity College is one of those places you can visit repeatedly without ever tiring of it.
When to Go
Trinity College can be visited at any time of the year, though Dublin is especially beautiful from late spring to early fall.
With great weather, activities, and festivals, summer is the most popular time to visit Dublin.
In principle, Trinity College is a place that is fun to explore, even in winter.
Honestly, figuring out when to visit Ireland is much more important, especially if you want to do the Wild Atlantic Way and explore places such as the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher.
By the way, thanks to its museum and gallery, Trinity College is a great place to visit on a rainy day.
What to Pack
Depending on the time of the year, you have many options, so whatever you decide to wear, make sure you feel comfortable.
Wear your favorite clothes and shoes, and don't forget to keep your rain jacket in your daypack just in case.
Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list to learn more about this topic.
How to Get There
Trinity College is located in the heart of Dublin, on Green College plaza.
The complex is only a short walk from O'Connell Bridge, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, or Merrion Park.
There are several ways to reach Trinity College.
On Foot
Undoubtedly, the best way to get to Trinity College is on foot.
Dublin's city center is walkable, meaning you only need to use public transport when staying on the outskirts. Yes, walking is the best way to get around Dublin.
Trinity College is only 600 meters from Temple Bar, 700 meters from Dublin Castle, 500 meters from St. Stephen's Green, and 1.5 kilometers from Docklands.
Tours
Trinity College is a major attraction in Dublin and can also be visited on a guided tour.
In fact, this is one of the best ways to explore this complex for all history lovers. Plus, this is one of the most popular Dublin Tours.
Here you can reserve a popular Book of Kells Ticket and Dublin Castle Tour.
Public Transport
In case you're staying in Dublin's outskirts, you can take a bus or tram.
Pearse and Tara are the nearest DART station, while St. Stephen's Green and Abbey Street are the nearest stops for those using LUAS.
Car
Trinity College has no parking for tourists. Therefore, you need to leave your car at one of the designated parking lots nearby, such as Q-Park Setanta.
Just remember that parking in Dublin is expensive.
In fact, while we recommend renting a car in Ireland, driving in Dublin can be quite difficult, at least for inexperienced drivers.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Where to Stay
Trinity College has a central location, which is ideal for your next visit to Dublin.
The area around the university is one of the best places to stay in Dublin, so it's not surprising that you will find many great hotels within walking distance from here.
Here are our tips on the best hotels near Trinity College for all budgets.
Budget | Jacobs Inn Hostel - One of the best hostels in Dublin is located only a 10-minute walk from Trinity College. The hostel has a modern design, clean dormitories with lockers, cozy private rooms, and helpful staff.
Mid-range | Wren Urban Nest - Discover one of the best choices among mid-range hotels in Dublin. This hotel has a modern design, uses cutting-edge sustainable technology, and provides a relaxing experience. On top of that, it's located less than a 5-minute walk from Trinity College.
Luxury | Westin - There are several great luxury hotels in Dublin, but Westin has the best location, right next to Trinity College. The hotel is set in a historic former bank and has stylish rooms, a fine dining restaurant, and excellent staff and service.
Staying Safe
Trinity College is a very safe place to visit while in Dublin. From our experience, the Book of Kells museum was really crowded.
Pickpockets target tourists in busy places, even museums.
As usual, staying vigilant and protecting your belongings is the best defense against pickpockets.
Leave your valuables in your hotel room, wear pickpocket-proof clothing, and never leave your phone in your back pocket.
Otherwise, Dublin is a safe place to visit, and Trinity College is no exception.
If you're still curious, you can also check out our helpful post on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Trinity College Worth Visiting?
Trinity College is a top attraction in Dublin, and we believe it's definitely worth visiting.
The college is home to the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's national treasures.
The Long Room is absolutely breathtaking, and the Douglas Hyde Gallery is in striking contrast with everything you can see around.
On top of that, the college grounds are free to explore, which is great news for all budget-minded travelers.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
