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Visiting Trinity College

Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and the only one open to visitors. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, it sits right in the center of Dublin. It is a prestigious institution known for its high academic standards.

A Bit of History

Modeled after the collegiate structure of Oxford and Cambridge, only Protestant English speaking young men were admitted until the late 18th century. Catholics were gradually tolerated later on, followed by the acceptance of all religions. It was not until 1904 that women were permitted to enroll at Trinity College. Operating as a highly selective school, only the elite and the brightest students were accepted in the past.

The campus spans roughly 20 hectares. Access to the grounds is free, making it easy to check out the Victorian architecture. Famous figures like Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Douglas Hyde, Bram Stoker, and Jonathan Swift all studied here.

The university enrolls nearly 13,000 students every year from Ireland and all over the globe, offering programs in sociology, drama, law, medicine, and engineering. It remains the largest and oldest university in Ireland, ranking among the top 100 global institutions for social sciences.

Touring the Campus

The campus blends historic buildings with newer additions constructed to accommodate more programs and students. Old and new sit right next to each other, pairing Victorian architecture with contemporary sculptures like Sphere with Sphere by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. The main cobblestone entranceway features imposing, grand architecture, and the campus itself hums with an international student body.

Do not miss the Old Library, which houses the famous The Long Room. Celebrated globally for its massive collection of rare and antique volumes spread across two levels, it is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. The library hosts an exhibition on the Book of Kells and displays the Brian Boru harp. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript filled with intricate Celtic ornamentation, created by Celtic monks around the year 800. It stands as a true masterpiece of early Irish Christianity and Hiberno-Saxon art.