Seaside cliffs, green clover fields, and musical accents — there are a lot of reasons to visit Ireland. We at Bookstr may be biased, but we believe that the bookish reasons are the best! After all, what complements a misty rainy day better than curling up in a historical library? Luckily for all our book lovers out there, Ireland is full of these treasures! We curated a list of the six most magical libraries that call Ireland home.
National Library of Ireland
You can’t go wrong with the premiere library in Ireland! Established in 1877, the National Library of Ireland is housed in a gorgeous historic building. With carved white stone, green accents, and rich wooden furniture, its domed reading room is sure to leave you swooning! The National Library is dedicated to the preservation of Ireland’s history. Part museum and part library, their illustrious collection is waiting for your admiration.
The Linen Hall
If history is your thing, look no further! Founded in 1788, The Linen Hall is the oldest library in all of Belfast. Beautifully carved reliefs frame the white stone entrance and curved grand staircases guide you from floor to floor of their acclaimed collection. Their expansive performing arts archive is sure to tickle the fancy of any die-hard theater kid! With countless events peppering their calendar, there’s always something new to discover at The Linen Hall.
Kevin Street Library
Founded in 1904, Kevin Street Library is a hidden gem in Dublin. Its cozy historic setting is perfect for a rainy day of reading! Kevin Street Library is very community-oriented. They have crafting groups and activities galore for locals — as well as an adorable colorful reading area for the kids. If you’re visiting from out of town, consider stopping in for a tour.
Marsh’s Library
Speaking of history, Marsh’s Library is the first public library ever founded in Ireland! Extensive galleries and phenomenal 18th-century architecture are sure to inspire every reader who comes through their doors. Particularly interesting are the historical reading alcoves — nicknamed Cages — where patrons would lock themselves in for uninterrupted time with a good book. (Not a bad idea, huh?) With a lovely garden and thousands of books to enjoy, Marsh’s Library is definitely one for the bucket list!
Armagh Robinson Library
The Northern Irish town of Armagh may be small, but it has one big attraction: the Armagh Robinson Library. Named for the Archbishop who founded it, this library still houses his esteemed special collections. Tens of thousands of manuscripts are on display within this historical center — including Jonathan Swift’s original copy of Gulliver’s Travels! Natural light bathes the main visiting room of Armagh Robinson Library, highlighting the walls of bookshelves and bright red reading chairs. Curl up with a book and enjoy the history!
Trinity College
We saved the best for last! The library in Dublin’s Trinity College is the largest in Ireland. This location is broken up into multiple wings, but the Old Library is the best of all. Its gorgeous Long Room leads the way to the legendary Book of Kells. This ninth-century manuscript is a critical piece of Irish history. Schedule a tour today to view all that Trinity College’s Old Library has to offer!
From hidden gems to cultural landmarks, these Irish libraries have us dying to update our passports. We hope this list has inspired you to hunt for bookish locales on all of your vacations. Until then, happy reading!
For more bookish suggestions for an Ireland trip, click here.
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