Friday, March 27, 2020

Trinity College Dublin


There was only one thing on my must-see list for Dublin, and that was the library that holds the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin.  The Book of Kells is an illuminated or illustrated religious text. The book was actually not on display the day we were there, a copy was, but not the original.  That didn't bother me, I was there to see the room.  Because the original book was not on display, the normal restrictions on photographs in the room were lifted (and admission was reduced in price.). The space, the library was what I was there to see.  Words fail me when it comes to describing the space. And yes, it is still a working part of the library.  I know people who could spend every waking moment of the rest of their life in that room.  A truly amazing space.  

 A couple of days after we visited, the library was closed to the public, a day or so later classes were suspended and the College closed for the duration of the Covid-19 virus epidemic.  

 What library inspires you?  
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14 comments:

  1. Mistress Maddie3/27/2020

    ThE New York Public Library always..... till I went to Vienna last summer. Now it's the Austrian National Library. Oh. MY. GOD.

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  2. Debra She Who Seeks3/27/2020

    I love beautiful, old, elegant libraries like that, all full of alcoves and dark wood.

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  3. anne marie in philly3/27/2020

    WOW, that pix takes my breath away! the free library of philadelphia, of course (https://www.freelibrary.org). I would like to visit the library of congress.

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    Replies
    1. Travel3/27/2020

      Come down one President's day, when the main reading room LOC is open to the public,

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  4. Moving with Mitchell3/27/2020

    New York Public still does it for me. Maybe because it was the first grand library I ever experienced.

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    Replies
    1. Travel3/27/2020

      Another reason I need to go back to NYC.

      Delete
  5. Deedles3/27/2020

    I'm a bit different. I've been inspired by every single library I've ever entered, including my very first, the bookmobile when I was six. It's not the building for me, it's the books. Safe haven, every one.

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    Replies
    1. Travel3/27/2020

      Love books, I find great spaces inspiring.

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    2. Deedles3/27/2020

      This actually triggered a vague memory. I was in high school, maybe 15 or 16 years old. We went on a field trip to The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. I only remember paintings of chubby pink and white ladies. I also have a faint memory of beautiful flowers, orderly and everywhere. I don't remember books :) So I guess I did get a little culture (someone else's).

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    3. Travel3/28/2020

      I miss the smell of old libraries.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous3/27/2020

    My own state library, full of local history and old media but sadly closed at the moment.

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