Stepping into the Long Room of Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library is like entering a sacred space dedicated to the worship of books. This magnificent 65-meter-long hall, lined with towering bookshelves and graced with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, is a breathtaking sight that leaves visitors in awe. As the main chamber of the Old Library, which houses over 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books, the Long Room is a nod to the enduring power of the written word and the historical significance of Ireland’s oldest university.
History and Architecture
The Old Library, which includes the Long Room, was constructed between 1712 and 1732, based on a design by Thomas Burgh. Originally built to house Trinity College’s growing collection of books and manuscripts, the Old Library quickly became an icon of Irish architectural heritage.
The Long Room itself was initially shorter, but was expanded to its current length in 1860 to accommodate the ever-increasing number of books. The expansion also saw the addition of the beautiful barrel-vaulted ceiling, which amplifies the room’s grandeur and acoustics.
The room’s design is a prime example of classical architecture, with its tall, arched windows, oak shelves, and marble busts of famous philosophers and writers lining the central walkway. The effect is simultaneously imposing and inviting, creating a space that feels both grand and intimate.
The Book Collections
The Long Room houses some of Trinity College’s most ancient and valuable books, with volumes dating back to the library’s establishment in the early 17th century. The collections span a wide range of subjects, from theology and philosophy to history and literature.
Among the most notable holdings are:
- The Book of Kells (displayed separately in the Old Library)
- The Book of Durrow, a 7th-century illuminated manuscript
- The 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic
- A rare copy of the 1685 Hiberniae Delineatio, the first detailed printed map of Ireland
- A first edition of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica
In addition to these treasures, the Long Room also houses a collection of over 200 marble busts depicting great thinkers, artists, and writers. These sculptures, added in the 19th century, include likenesses of Shakespeare, Socrates, and Jonathan Swift, among others.
The Long Room and Popular Culture
The Long Room’s stunning visual appeal has made it a popular filming location and a source of inspiration for writers and filmmakers. It has appeared in several movies, including the 2002 adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo and the 2009 thriller Agora.
Perhaps most famously, the Long Room is believed to have been a source of inspiration for the Jedi Archives in the Star Wars films. The resemblance between the two spaces is striking, with the tall shelves and busts of the Long Room echoing the design of the fictional Jedi library.
Visiting the Long Room
The Long Room is part of the Trinity College Old Library, which is open to the public seven days a week. Entry to the Long Room is included with a ticket to the Book of Kells exhibition, which provides context and history about Trinity’s famous illuminated manuscript.
Visitors can explore the room at their own pace, marveling at the architecture, browsing the book stacks, and learning about the various historical figures represented by the marble busts. The space also hosts occasional exhibitions and events related to the library’s collections and the history of the university.
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