I went to Dublin, Ireland for many reasons but one of the most important things for me was seeing The Long Room. Looking back at these pictures makes me wished I was going back to see it again.
Walking into the Long Room at Trinity College Dublin was the honor of my life. I had been looking at this room online for years and vowed that one day I would see this room. That day finally. came for me. I had seen pictures before, but nothing prepared me for the feeling of standing in that vast, breathtaking hall. The arched wooden ceiling, the endless rows of ancient books, the quiet weight of history—it was like stepping into another world.
Built in the early 1700s, the Long Room holds over 200,000 of the library’s oldest books, many of which come from Ireland, Britain, and across Europe. Thanks to a law from 1801, Trinity College received a free copy of every book published in Ireland and Britain, making this one of the most important collections of knowledge anywhere. While most books focus on Irish and European history, literature, and philosophy, the library also holds rare texts from around the world. Standing there, surrounded by centuries of wisdom, I couldn’t help but wonder about the hands that had turned these pages before me.
The scent of old paper filled the air, and the soft glow of light filtering through the tall windows made everything feel almost sacred. Seeing the Brian Boru Harp, one of Ireland’s national treasures. This harp is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps. It dates to the 14th or 15th century and it’s also the national symbol of Ireland. It is on Irish coins, passports, and even the Guinness logo. It’s made from oak and willow and has brass strings. And knowing the Book of Kells was nearby just added to the magic. The Book of Kells was written by Celtic monks around the 9th century. it contains the four gospels from the New Testament and it is written in Latin. The book is one the most famous and most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. The pages are adorned with vibrant inks, meticulously crafted by monks using pigments derived from various plants.
While I was there, most of the books had been taken off the shelf. One of the guides told me that everyone here was witnessing history because the last time the books had been taken off the shelves was 150 years ago. She explained that the library was in a lot of danger of catching fire and maintenance needed to be done to the library. It was built between 1712 and 1732. The books are being cleaned and are being put in clear RFID cases for their protection. If the sprinkler system when off, all the books would be ruined. I was there less than 2 years ago in. 2023. Check to make sure the library is going to be opened. It was suppose to close at the end of 2023 for restoration to begin on the library but has stayed. open for visitors. It will close at the end of the 2025 tourist season and the restoration work will take several years before it will be finished. As of today, there is no reopen date set.
I could have stayed there forever, just soaking it all in. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t rush it. Stand there. Breathe it in. Let history settle around you. It’s not just a library—it’s an experience. Just a heads up, bring your headphones or airpods. You will need to download the audio app from the college and connect your headphones to your phone to get the audio guide. The college doesn’t have audio guide headphones.
