Trinity College: The Long Room

If you've ever stepped inside a library that genuinely stopped you in your tracks, you'll understand what awaits you in Trinity College Dublin's Long Room. It's one of those rare spaces where history, architecture, and cultural treasure exist in the same breath. From a medieval harp to ancient manuscripts, there's more happening here than most visitors realize. What you're about to discover might change how you think about libraries entirely.

Key Takeaways

• At 65 metres long, the Long Room is the world's longest single-chamber library, housing approximately 200,000 of Trinity's oldest books.
• The barrel-vaulted ceiling and upper gallery were added during an 1860 redesign by Deane and Woodward, doubling the library's storage capacity.
• The Long Room houses the Brian Boru Harp, a 14th or 15th-century instrument that inspired Ireland's coat of arms and Guinness trademark.
• The Book of Kells, created by monks in the 9th century, is displayed in Trinity's Treasury before visitors enter the Long Room.
• In 2023, four female busts were unveiled, representing Ada Lovelace, Rosalind Franklin, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Augusta Gregory, selected from over 500 nominations.

What Exactly Is the Long Room at Trinity College?

The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin is a two-storey, barrel-vaulted library stretching 65 metres in length, making it the longest single-chamber library in the world. It houses 200,000 of the library's oldest books, lining forty oak-shelved alcoves and transverse bookcases that stretch across both floors.

When you visit, the architectural symbolism is immediately striking. The barrel-vaulted ceiling, added in 1860, replaced the original flat plaster design, transforming the space into something far more dramatic. A gold lettering band commemorates 17th and 18th-century benefactors, adding historical depth to every corner. Among its most prized holdings is a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio, published in 1623, which is considered one of the most important literary publications in history.

Your visitor experience extends beyond the architecture. The Long Room displays Ireland's 1916 Proclamation, its oldest harp, and over 40 marble busts, making it both a working library and a living cultural monument. The library was designed by Thomas Burgh in a classical European style, reflecting the architectural ambitions of the early 18th century.

The marble bust collection lining the Long Room began in 1743, when 14 busts were commissioned from the sculptor Peter Scheemakers, funded through a bequest left by benefactor Claudius Gilbert for busts of men eminent for learning to adorn the Library.

How the Long Room Was Built and Later Transformed

What you see today didn't emerge fully formed — the Long Room's grandeur is the result of centuries of deliberate construction and bold reimagining.

Thomas Burgh's original construction techniques prioritized practicality: arcaded arches ventilated the structure while elevated floors protected books from damp ground. However, storage evolution became unavoidable by the 1850s when free copy rights flooded the shelves with every book published in Britain and Ireland.

The 1860 transformation addressed this crisis decisively:

• Deane and Woodward merged two separate floors into one 65-metre chamber
• A barrel-vaulted ceiling replaced the original flat plaster design
• Towering oak bookcases with an upper gallery doubled storage capacity

This radical remodeling created the breathtaking interior you walk through today, accommodating roughly 200,000 of the library's oldest volumes. One contemporary observer captured the impact of the transformation perfectly, remarking that "what had been merely superb now became sublime." The careful stewardship of such collections mirrors broader efforts in cultural heritage protection, where institutions worldwide have worked to strengthen preservation standards and ensure long-term access to irreplaceable materials. The Old Library Building itself serves as a place name disambiguation reference point, directing those researching similarly named structures to their intended historical destination.

The Book of Kells: The Long Room's Most Famous Treasure

Among the Long Room's 200,000 ancient volumes, one manuscript commands more reverence than all the rest: the Book of Kells.

Created by monks at Iona's monastery during the 9th century, it contains the four Latin Gospels of the New covenant, enriched with illuminated symbolism drawn from zoomorphic figures, knotwork, and elaborate decorative scenes.

You'll find it displayed in Trinity's Treasury before heading upstairs to the Long Room.

Viking raids forced the manuscript's relocation from Iona to Kells, then to Dublin in 1653, and finally to Trinity around 1661.

Its 340 folios showcase insular pigments sourced from minerals and plants, producing colors that remain striking centuries later.

Entry through the Book of Kells Experience starts at €19, with staff available daily to guide your visit. For those unable to visit in person, Trinity's Digital Collections online repository presents the Book of Kells in its entirety, offering an experience described as second only to viewing the manuscript firsthand.

Trinity College Dublin has earned recognition as Europe's Leading Academic Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards, a fitting tribute to the global draw of treasures like the Book of Kells.

The Brian Boru Harp and What Else You'll Find Inside

Sharing the Long Room's spotlight with its ancient volumes is the Brian Boru Harp, a medieval wire-strung cláirseach dating to the 14th or 15th century and the oldest of three surviving medieval Irish harps. Despite its name, experts dismiss its connection to High King Brian Boru as a forgery. Its harp iconography, however, remains deeply significant:

• It models Ireland's official coat of arms, adopted in 1922
• It serves as Guinness stout's trademark symbol
• It's displayed alongside the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic

Beyond medieval harping history, you'll also encounter thousands of rare volumes lining barrel-vaulted shelves and marble busts throughout the space. The harp itself stands 85 cm tall, strung with 29 strings, and hasn't been played since a 1961 restoration experiment. The harp was presented to Trinity College by William Conyngham in 1782, making its arrival at the institution a well-documented moment in an otherwise murky provenance. Notably, the instrument is not a single original piece but rather a composite instrument made from more than one harp, with multiple layers of decoration reflecting different periods of its long history. Much like the Venus de Milo, whose missing arms mystery continues to fuel scholarly debate, the harp's uncertain origins and incomplete history have done little to diminish its iconic cultural status.

The Philosophers and Writers Immortalized in Marble

Lining both sides of the Long Room's lower level, 40 marble busts immortalize the intellectual giants of Western civilization alongside figures tied to Trinity College Dublin itself. Ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Homer, and Cicero anchor the collection, while literary giants including Shakespeare, Jonathan Swift, and Oliver Goldsmith represent the written word. Edmund Burke and Francis Bacon reflect the intersection of statesmanship and philosophy. Scientists like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle remind you that the Enlightenment's reach extended far beyond literature.

The collection began in 1743 with busts commissioned from sculptor Peter Scheemakers, and it's grown since. You'll notice the finest piece is Swift's bust, sculpted by Louis François Roubiliac — a masterwork standing out even among distinguished company.

Each bust is positioned between each stall on the lower level, creating a procession of immortalized minds that runs the full length of the room. The Long Room itself stretches 213 feet in length, making the visual journey past these sculpted figures a truly grand and sweeping experience.

Ada Lovelace, Rosalind Franklin, and the New Faces in the Long Room

For centuries, those 40 marble busts represented an exclusively male intellectual legacy — but 2023 marked a turning point. On St Brigid's Day, Trinity revealed four female busts in the Long Room, expanding science recognition and honoring female programmers like Ada Lovelace.

The new additions include:

• Ada Lovelace (sculpted by Maudie Brady) — the world's first computer programmer
• Rosalind Franklin (created by Vera Klute) — the crystallographer whose X-ray work advanced DNA discovery
• Mary Wollstonecraft (crafted by Rowan Gillespie) — pioneering women's rights advocate

Augusta Gregory, the Abbey Theatre co-founder, joined them as well. Chancellor Mary McAleese revealed all four busts, representing Trinity's first female sculptures commissioned in over a century — a meaningful step toward representing diversity alongside figures like Aristotle and Swift. The four women were chosen from more than 500 nominations submitted by students, staff, and alumni from across the Trinity community. Media inquiries regarding the commission can be directed to Catherine O'Mahony through Trinity's media relations office.

Who the Long Room Was Built For: and Who Visits Now

When Thomas Burgh completed the Long Room in 1732, he built it for a very specific audience — Trinity College Dublin's scholars, researchers, and academics who needed structured storage for the university's growing manuscript and book collection. The 1801 Copyright Act accelerated that need, flooding shelves until renovations expanded capacity to 200,000 volumes by the 1860s.

Today, you'll find the Long Room serving a far broader crowd. Tourists book the Book of Kells Experience to walk its 65-meter length, viewing the Trinity College harp and the 1916 Proclamation. Alumni gatherings now unfold beneath those barrel-vaulted ceilings, and digital exhibits bring its treasures to global audiences who can't visit in person. What began as a scholar's resource has become one of the world's most celebrated cultural landmarks. In August 2025, the library was ranked first in the 1000 Libraries literary tourism initiative, underscoring just how far its reputation has traveled beyond academia. Lining the upper galleries are marble busts of famous philosophers and writers, added beginning in 1743, giving visitors a sense of the intellectual tradition the Long Room was always meant to honor.

Why the Long Room Is Dublin's Most Photographed Room

Step inside the Long Room and you'll instantly understand why it's one of Dublin's most photographed spaces. The barrel-vaulted ceiling, marble busts, and golden glow from frosted windows create an atmosphere that's genuinely cinematic.

To capture it at its best, keep these lighting techniques and tourist etiquette tips in mind:

• Visit early morning using advance tickets to avoid crowds and shoot in softer, less crowded conditions
• Use natural light from the giant frosted windows rather than flash, which disturbs other visitors
• Shoot from the entrance to capture the full 65-metre length for maximum dramatic effect

Since 2022, an ongoing restoration project has added modern environmental protections, so some areas may be partially restricted during your visit. The room stretches 65 metres long, making it the longest single-chamber library in the world. The Long Room is home to the Brian Boru Harp, one of Ireland's most treasured cultural artefacts and a symbol of the nation's identity.

Long Room Tickets, Hours, and What to Expect on Arrival

Planning ahead is essential if you want to secure your spot in the Long Room, as tickets frequently sell out days in advance.

For ticket tips, standard adult admission starts at €18, with student, senior, and family options available. Pre-book through the official website to avoid missing out.

For arrival logistics, head straight to the Old Library on College Green, Dublin 2.

You'll view the Book of Kells first, then explore the Long Room, where you can see the Brian Boru Harp and an original Proclamation copy.

The full experience takes about 45 minutes. Online booking is strongly recommended, as tickets are non-refundable. Time slots are scheduled every 30 minutes, so plan your arrival accordingly to make the most of your visit.

Hours run Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, and Sunday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm from April to September, with reduced hours October through March.