Trinity College is a large school, occupying considerable acerage. During the evening hours most gates to the property are locked but during daylight hours there is access to the school from all directions. This photo shows us "Front Gate", which is often associated with public events and freshmen activities. As you step through Front Gate, the atmosphere seems to change. Instead of the dynamics of a hectic Dublin, life with the college grounds seems to go on much like it must have centuries ago.
Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth (the first) in 1592. From its beginning, the college was a central part of the Protestant community, and not until 1966 were Cahtolics admitted without needing permission of its diocese.
Most notable among the fine buildings at the college is the Old Library, and the Book of Kells exhibition. The old library contains an estmated quarter million volumes, but it is the new library which is the current functional library. The Book of Kells is a 680 page volume crafted by the monks at Kells Monastery n 800AD. The book is considered the most beautiful book by many. It contains many colored illustrations as well as text.
Selected pages of the book are on public display at all times, but rotated at least once every three months to minimize fading due to sunlight. The white fabric of the book's pages has held up remarkably well over the centuries.
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