Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin is not only Ireland’s oldest university, but also one of the top tourist attractions in Dublin. Located in the heart of the city, Trinity’s stunning campus is steeped in history and home to several world-renowned sights. Here are some of the top reasons to visit:

1. The Book of Kells
   Trinity’s Old Library houses the famous Book of Kells, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript considered one of Ireland’s greatest national treasures. Visitors can view this exquisite book, which features ornate Latin text and intricate illustrations, and learn about its fascinating history.
2. The Long Room
   The Old Library’s magnificent Long Room is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. This expansive hall, built in the early 18th century, contains over 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books. With its soaring arched ceiling and rows of ancient books, stepping into the Long Room feels like entering a scene from Harry Potter.
3. The Campanile
   The iconic bell tower in the center of Trinity’s campus is one of Dublin’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the 1850s, the Campanile stands over 100 feet tall and offers stunning views of the college and the city. Catch one of the regular guided tours to learn more about its history.
4. The Campus Architecture
   Trinity’s campus is an architectural marvel, blending Classical, Georgian and Victorian styles. Be sure to see the Chapel, the Museum Building, the Examination Hall, and Parliament Square. The picturesque Front Gate entrance to the college is also a popular spot for photos.
5. The Douglas Hyde Gallery
   Art lovers should check out the Douglas Hyde, Trinity’s contemporary art gallery. It hosts rotating exhibits by established and emerging Irish and international artists in a sleek modern space.
6. The Science Gallery
   Trinity’s Science Gallery offers a more hands-on experience, with interactive exhibits that merge art and science. The gallery hosts regular talks, workshops and events exploring themes like robotics, music and the environment.

Trinity’s central location also makes it the perfect starting point to explore the rest of Dublin. The college is just steps from Grafton Street, the city’s premier shopping area, and a short walk from other major attractions like the National Museum, St. Stephen’s Green and Temple Bar.

Guided tours of Trinity’s campus are available, offering a great way to learn more about the college’s rich past and see the top sights. You can also download audio guides or pick up maps for self-guided tours.

Whether you’re a history buff, a book lover, an architecture aficionado or just looking for a fascinating way to spend an afternoon, Trinity College Dublin has something to offer. Its unique blend of scholarly history and lively present-day atmosphere makes it an essential part of any Dublin itinerary.

How to get to Trinity college

Trinity College Dublin is located in the heart of Dublin city center, making it easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get there:

Dublin Bus

Several Dublin Bus routes stop near Trinity College, including:

• Routes 4, 7, 8, 11, 15, 15A, 15B, 25, 25A, 25B, 26, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 46A, 46E, 49, 54A, 56A, 61, 66, 67, 70, 84, 116, 118, 137, and 145
• The nearest bus stops are Dame Street (in front of the Bank of Ireland), Pearse Street, and Nassau Street.

Luas (Dublin’s Light Rail System)

The Green Line has stops near Trinity:

• Stops at St. Stephen’s Green, Dawson Street, and Westmoreland Street are all within a 5-minute walk of Trinity’s main entrance.

DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit)

The closest DART stations to Trinity are:

• Tara Street Station (10-minute walk)
• Pearse Street Station (15-minute walk)

By Car

While driving in Dublin city center can be challenging due to traffic and limited parking, there are several car parks near Trinity:

• Trinity College Car Park (on campus, access via Lincoln Place)
• Setanta Car Park (Molesworth Street)
• Dawson Car Park (Schoolhouse Lane)
• Q-Park Christchurch (Werburgh Street)

Please note that on-street parking in the area is very limited and subject to hourly rates.

By Bike

Dublin Bikes, the city’s public bike sharing scheme, has several stations near Trinity:

• Station 32 (Pearse Street)
• Station 17 (Exchequer Street)
• Station 34 (Prince’s Street South)
• Station 1 (Christchurch Place)

Bike racks are also available on campus for those bringing their own bicycles.

On Foot

Trinity is within walking distance of many of Dublin’s main attractions and neighborhoods:

• Grafton Street (premier shopping district): 2-minute walk
• Temple Bar (cultural quarter): 5-minute walk
• St. Stephen’s Green (city park): 5-minute walk
• Dublin Castle: 10-minute walk
• O’Connell Street (main thoroughfare): 15-minute walk

Trinity’s Entrances

The main entrance to Trinity is located on College Green, opposite the former Irish Houses of Parliament. However, there are two other entry points:

• Lincoln Place Gate: Located southeast of the campus, near the National Gallery of Ireland and Merrion Square.
• Nassau Street Gate: Situated on the south side of campus, this entrance is closest to the Douglas Hyde Gallery.

Once you arrive at Trinity, the main campus is fully pedestrianized, making it easy to explore on foot. Visitor maps are available at the entrances and key points throughout the college.

Trinity College – History

Founding and Early Years (1592-1700)

Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I as the “mother of a university” modeled after the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The college was established outside the city walls of Dublin in an area known as Hoggen Green. The first stone of Trinity’s iconic Campanile bell tower was laid on March 13, 1593.

The early curriculum at Trinity focused on classical learning, divinity and the liberal arts. Students studied Greek, Latin, logic, philosophy and mathematics. The college had a strong Protestant ethos in its early years, as it was seen as a bulwark against Catholicism in Ireland.

Notable developments in the 17th century include:

• The construction of the Old Library building in 1661, which today houses the famous Book of Kells
• The college’s acquisition of lands at Kilmacrenan in 1670, which helped fund the institution
• The establishment of the School of Medicine in 1674

18th Century Growth and Enlightenment

The 18th century was a period of rapid growth and development for Trinity College. The student population expanded significantly and the curriculum evolved to include more modern subjects like chemistry, anatomy and political economy.

Many of Ireland’s leading intellectuals and political figures were educated at Trinity during this time, including:

• Philosopher George Berkeley
• Satirist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels
• Mathematician and physicist William Rowan Hamilton
• Theobald Wolfe Tone, leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion

The college also became a center of enlightenment thinking and scientific inquiry. Noteworthy milestones included:

• The establishment of the School of Pharmacy in 1777
• The construction of the Printing House in 1734
• The founding of the Royal Irish Academy in 1785

19th Century Expansion and Reform

The 19th century brought significant changes and challenges for Trinity. The college’s Anglican ethos came under increasing pressure as political reforms reduced discrimination against Catholics and Nonconformists.

In 1873, all religious tests for admissions were abolished, with the exception of tests for Divinity School. Women were first admitted to Trinity in 1904.

Trinity expanded significantly during this period with the addition of new buildings, schools and faculties:

• The Museum Building was constructed in 1857 to house the growing geological and anatomical collections
• The School of Engineering was established in 1842
• The School of Physic was divided into separate schools of medicine and pharmacy in 1874
• Academic chairs were created in modern literature, languages, economics and other subjects

Many important Irish cultural and political figures attended or taught at Trinity in the 1800s, including:

• Dramatist and wit Oscar Wilde
• Physicist John Tyndall
• Unionist political leader Edward Carson
• Poet Gerard Manley Hopkins
• Mathematician William Rowan Hamilton

20th Century and Beyond

The 20th century saw Trinity evolve into a modern research university of global standing. The college expanded dramatically in size and scope while making important contributions in fields ranging from literature to particle physics.

Noted developments included:

• The admission of women students in 1904. Notable early female graduates include mathematician Sheila Power and Celtic scholar Eleanor Knott.
• Establishment of the School of Cosmic Physics in 1947 under the famed physicist Erwin Schrödinger
• Creation of the Arts and Social Sciences Building in 1978
• Launch of the Science Gallery in 2008 to promote public engagement with science and art
• Winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature by alumni Samuel Beckett in 1969 and Seamus Heaney in 1995

Today, Trinity is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Europe and the world. With a student population of over 18,000, it attracts pupils from more than 120 countries. True to its heritage, Trinity remains committed to scholarship, innovation and engagement with Irish society and the wider world.

Trinity College Dublin famous Alumni

Trinity College Dublin has produced an impressive array of graduates who have made significant contributions in fields ranging from literature and arts to science, politics and beyond. Here are some of the most famous and influential alumni:

Literature

• Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): The renowned playwright, poet, and novelist studied classics at Trinity in the 1870s. His best-known works include The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
• Samuel Beckett (1906-1989): The avant-garde novelist, playwright, and poet attended Trinity in the 1920s. He later won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969. His most famous works include Waiting for Godot and Molloy.
• Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): The essayist and satirist known for works like Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal studied at Trinity in the 1680s.
• Bram Stoker (1847-1912): The author of the Gothic horror novel Dracula studied mathematics at Trinity in the 1860s.
• Sally Rooney (b. 1991): The acclaimed contemporary novelist known for Conversations with Friends and Normal People studied English at Trinity, graduating in 2013.

Sciences

• William Rowan Hamilton (1805-1865): The mathematician, physicist, and astronomer famous for his work on quaternions and Hamiltonian mechanics spent his entire academic career at Trinity.
• E.T.S. Walton (1903-1995): The physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1951 for his work on the transmutation of atomic nuclei studied physics and mathematics at Trinity, graduating in 1926.
• John Joly (1857-1933): The geologist and physicist who first estimated the age of the Earth taught at Trinity for over 40 years.

Politics & Law

• Mary Robinson (b. 1944): The first female President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights studied law at Trinity in the 1960s.
• Mary McAleese (b. 1951): The two-term President of Ireland and legal scholar earned her law degree from Trinity in 1973.
• Edward Carson (1854-1935): The Irish unionist leader and barrister known for his role in the Oscar Wilde trials and the Home Rule crisis attended Trinity in the 1870s.
• Robert Emmet (1778-1803): The Irish nationalist and rebel leader who sought to overthrow British rule attended Trinity in the late 1790s.

Arts & Entertainment

• Lenny Abrahamson (b. 1966): The Oscar-nominated film director known for art house films like Adam & Paul and Room studied philosophy at Trinity.
• Dominic West (b. 1969): The actor known for starring roles in The Wire and The Affair earned an English degree at Trinity in the early 1990s.

Other Fields

• Ernest Walton (1903-1995): Nobel Prize winner in Physics for splitting the atom. Studied at and taught at Trinity.
• Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): Satirist, essayist, and author of works like Gulliver’s Travels. Studied at Trinity in 1682.
• Edmund Burke (1729-1797): Statesman, political theorist, and philosopher known for his support of the American Revolution. Studied at Trinity in 1744.

These are just a sampling of the many distinguished graduates Trinity College Dublin has produced over its 400+ year history. From literary giants who shaped the course of English literature to groundbreaking scientists, influential politicians, and cultural luminaries, Trinity alumni have left an indelible mark across all aspects of Irish and international society. Their accomplishments are a testament to the enduring tradition of academic excellence and independent thinking that Trinity has long fostered.