Dublin Highlights & Book of Kells

Your drive will take you into the heart of bustling Dublin, where you’ll pass the main sights including the splendid Georgian Squares, the Edwardian Government Buildings and the renowned St Stephen’s Green.

Continuing on your journey, you’ll pass the 18th century Dublin Castle, City Hall and ornate Christchurch Cathedral before pausing briefly to photograph the impressive 12th century St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Arriving back in the centre of Dublin, you’ll stop at the famous Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest college, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1. Step back in time as you walk through the courtyard past the historic and decorative buildings to the Old Library where the world famous Book of Kells is located.

On entering the building you’ll be taken through an interesting ‘Turning Darkness into Light’ exhibition, which places the Book of Kells in its historical perspective and shows how the Book was illustrated. The exhibition ends in the Treasury where you’ll be able to see the fascinating Book of Kells, a hand illuminated 9th century manuscript of the four Gospels written in Latin on vellum (prepared calfskin). It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and is lavishly decorated with figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours. The Book of Kells is considered to be one of the greatest artistic treasures in the world.