Trinity College, the world-renowned university and museum in the heart of Dublin, has launched two new walking trails that explore the ancient buildings and hidden gems of its campus.
Behind the front arches and main entrance of Trinity College lies a huge campus filled with leafy squares, cobblestone walkways and historic buildings. Now you can uncover all that Ireland’s oldest university has to offer with Trinity Trails, a pair of new in-person guided and multimedia self-guided walking tours.
The tour routes take in Trinity’s 47-acre site, bringing the campus’ elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture to life. Revealing 400 years of history, there is also insider access to its world-famous alumni, historical buildings and the cutting-edge innovations coming out of what is Ireland’s leading university, also listed in the top 100 universities of the world.
The 45-minute guided or self-guided loops of the campus depart from the bell tower in Trinity’s front square. The trails complete beside The Old Library, where you can either continue your journey into the famous Book of Kells and Old Library exhibition, or enjoy a delicious lunch or coffee at one of Trinity’s many restaurants and cafes.
Over 30 Trinity contributors from 14 schools and departments were involved in developing the content and compelling stories that make the Trinity Trails so unique. The cross-campus collaboration included academics, staff, students and researchers who are all passionate about highlighting the college’s rich history and heritage across each of their areas of expertise.
Key points of interest along the guided trail include the Old Anatomy Museum, Museum Building, Rose Garden and Zoological Museum. Those who opt for the self-guided tour have access to immersive 360o tours and AR experiences with highlights including engaging with two of the Zoological Museum’s most precious artefacts – bringing to life Prince Tom the Royal Elephant or the Great Auk which has been extinct since the 1800s.
The university has embraced the aim of increasing biodiversity on campus and has re-wilded its front lawns with some 30 species of wildflower transforming them into a canvas of colour. It is also planting hundreds of trees on the site to help create a green oasis in the heart of the city.
Trinity College is also well known as the home of The Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated Gospel manuscript and one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. Its barrel-vaulted Long Room library, houses over 200,000 ancient books and is one of the most photographed places in Dublin.
The university also features strongly in the current TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s acclaimed debut novel Conversations with Friends, with the lead characters appearing at the classical eighteenth-century front gate, in the grounds and at the university’s cricket pitch. Rooney, also of Normal People fame, wrote her first book while studying for her master’s degree in American Literature at Trinity.
Trinity Trails tickets can be booked via www.tcd.ie and the self-guided tours can be accessed by downloading the Visit Trinity App, available on the Apple and Google stores.
Visitors to Trinity – and Dublin – can also enjoy affordable overnight stays in the heart of the campus. Heritage bedrooms are available to book throughout the summer months and include apartments that sleep up to six, with a hearty breakfast available in The Buttery café.
