Trinity College, Dublin

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Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity College, Dublin (must see)

Tucked right into Dublin’s beating heart, Trinity College is both a university and a scene-stealing diva of stone and legacy wrapped into one. Founded in 1592 by none other than Queen Elizabeth I (because what’s an empire without a bit of academic propaganda?), it was originally meant to steer Irish students away from those pesky continental Catholic ideas. Over the centuries that followed, this world-renowned institution has churned out everyone from politicians and philosophers to literary legends like Swift, Wilde, and Beckett—talk about a star-studded alumni list...

Planted on College Green like a scholarly fortress, Trinity greets you with serious old-school charm and just enough mystery. Depending on the time of year—or the mood of the security gates—you might not get full access, but the west front gate usually plays nice. Stroll through and you’ll land in Parliament Square, where symmetry reigns supreme. The Chapel and Examination Hall face off across a lawn that occasionally moonlights as a concert venue.

Keep wandering further and you’ll find the Rubrics, the college’s oldest surviving building, all red brick and 18th-century vibes. But let’s be honest—the real showstopper here is the Old Library. Not only does it smell like intellectual dust and old wisdom, it houses the legendary Book of Kells, a 9th-century masterpiece of illuminated manuscript art that’s basically medieval bling.

Also, beyond the Old Library is Fellows' Square, where old meets new. On one side: the modernist Berkeley Library and the Arts Building. On the other: the Douglas Hyde Gallery, serving up contemporary Irish and international art with a side of cool detachment.

And just when you think Trinity’s done impressing, you stumble into New Square and meet the School of Engineering. Its home is the Museum Building—an absolute fever dream of Venetian Gothic architecture, decked out with stone-carved animals, twisting leaves, and enough floral motifs to make a Victorian jealous.

In short, Trinity College campus is a storybook that you can walk through, with a little drama, a lot of history, and just the right amount of academic swagger...

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Trinity College on Map

Sight Name: Trinity College
Sight Location: Dublin, Ireland (See walking tours in Dublin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Dublin, Ireland

Create Your Own Walk in Dublin

Create Your Own Walk in Dublin

Creating your own self-guided walk in Dublin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
A Walk with Famous Irish Writers

A Walk with Famous Irish Writers

Albeit a small country, Ireland has given the world a plethora of remarkable writers and poets, many of whom were born, lived, and studied in Dublin. Needless to say, as an epicenter of Ireland's literary scene, Dublin boasts a myriad of hallowed locations closely associated with the luminaries of Irish literature, such as James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and many of their...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Dublin Literary Pubs

Dublin Literary Pubs

The three Ps of Dublin – the pub, the poet, and the pint – have always distinguished the Irish capital as home to some of the most literary pubs in Europe. Indeed, Dublin's public houses, where writers traditionally sharpened their wit, today encapsulate the enchantment of the written word and play a significant role in preserving and celebrating this legacy.

Among these revered...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Dublin Introduction Walking Tour

Dublin Introduction Walking Tour

The Irish capital, Dublin, is a city where history has a pint in one hand and a smartphone in the other. Sitting snugly on Ireland’s east coast, straddling the River Liffey like it owns the place, Dublin is a heady mix of medieval charm, Georgian swagger, and modern-day buzz. The name itself, Dubh Linn (the Celtic expression for “black pool”) sounds mysterious enough — and yes, it refers...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Pub Crawl

Pub Crawl

The Irish in general and Dubliners in particular are known for their passion for whiskey and beer. As you embark upon a beguiling odyssey through the spirited streets of the Irish capital, you can't help noticing the reverberating vibrancy coming from its enchanting pubs. A tapestry of libation-laden lore awaits those who traverse the path of the Dublin pub crawl, guided by the siren call of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
A Walk Along Liffey River

A Walk Along Liffey River

The River Liffey — Dublin’s liquid backbone — slices through the Irish capital like a great shimmering bookmark, separating the Northside from the Southside in a civil yet longstanding sibling rivalry. Stretching around 125 kilometers, this body of water is indeed a living archive, a story that never quite ends. Stroll along its banks, and you’ll find yourself time-traveling without the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Distinctively Irish Things to Buy in Dublin

16 Distinctively Irish Things to Buy in Dublin

The birthplace of many artistic talents, such as Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde, Dublin is the show-window of Ireland, a small country renowned for its rich cultural scene encompassing music, writing, poetry, dance, craftsmanship and more. The food & drink scene of Dublin (much as the whole of...