Page 62 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

the mid 19th century and now attracts more than
500,000 visitors a year.
The most impressive, and perhaps crowded, a sec-
tion of the Trinity Library is the Long Room built be-
tween 1712 and 1732. The Library holds the collection’s
200,000 oldest books. The distinctive wooden barrel
ceiling was added in 1860 to allow space for more
books. The almost spooky marble busts of famous
philosophers and writers line the central walkway of the
nearly 200-foot-long room.
Visitors lined up belly-to-belly to get a glimpse of a
rare copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic
and the 15th-century wooden harp in the library which
is the model for the emblem of Ireland.
Stairs from the library deposit you in the gift shop,
which was packed with folks shopping for souvenirs
and waiting for a heavy shower to end. We both had
umbrellas and decided to brave the storm, but the
umbrellas were no match for rains whipped sideways.
Wet but undaunted, we trekked the short distance back
to the town center where we snapped photos at the

It’s crowded, but worth the
bother at the Trinity College
library Long Room.

62 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018