Authenticity Tours

Authenticity Tours regrets to inform its clients that all tours are suspended and bookings cancelled until and inclusive of Sunday 22 March because of Social Distancing Protocols put in place by the University in attempting to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The Old Library and Book of Kell Exhibition have been closed until further notice.

It may be necessary to suspend tours and cancel bookings in the weeks following March 22. This will be dependent on assessment of the infection risk posed by the virus during the intervening period. We will inform all clients of any further suspension/cancelations by 20 March. Given the current uncertainty we cannot issue invoices to facilitate the prepayment of tours in the week beginning 23 March.

We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience caused by this situation but are trying to act in the best interest of both our staff and clients by protecting them from potential infection, and of our clients in providing clear and unequivocal information.

There may also be delays in replying to emails given the current curtailment of activity and we would ask for your patience in this regard.

Recently, one of our guides paid a visit to the Rock of Dunamase in Co Laois, giving us these impressive images of the ruins of Dunamase Castle. The first known settlement on the rock was Dun Masc, or Masc’s Fort, an early Christian settlement that was pillaged in 842 by the Vikings. The Book of Kells (now in The Library of Trinity College Dublin) dates back to the same period, and had only recently been moved to Kells in Co Meath, to avoid Viking raids in Scotland (where work on the Book first began c 750-800AD). Centuries later, it was Dunamase where Diarmuid MacMurrough, King of Leinster (and founder of the monastery of All Hallows in Dublin, on the site now occupied by Trinity College Dublin), brought the wife of O'Rourke, the King of Breifne, after kidnapping her. O’Rourke retaliated and MacMurrough fled from Ireland, losing his territories as a result. However, MacMurrough gave Dunamase and his daughter, Aoife, in marriage to the Norman conqueror, Strongbow, in 1170, as part of a deal to enlist his help to regain his lands. The Norman invasion of Ireland then followed when Strongbow accompanied MacMurrough, along with his armies, to attack and regain MacMurrough's lands - a series of events which would shape the course of Irish history for centuries to follow.

Due to technical issues, the original manuscript of the Book of Kells will not be on display until further notice.

The official guided tours of the College continue to operate as scheduled. Our 35-minute student-led guided tours cost €4 per person (the cost of admission to the Old Library is not included in this price).

Admission to the Book of Kells and Old Library Exhibition his available for half price at the entrance to the Old Library while the fine art facsimile of the Book of Kells is on display.

On Culture Night 2018 (Friday, 21 September), come and explore The Book of Kells and the Long Room at The Library of Trinity College Dublin. Throughout the evening, the official tour providers for TCD, Authenticity Tours, will have guides on hand to explain the history and significance of the world-famous Book of Kells and to offer insights on the College’s spectacular Long Room. The Book of Kells and Old Library Exhibition will be open for Culture Night 2018 from 5pm-9pm and admission will be free of charge. This is a non-ticketed event. A queue may be maintained at the entrance to the Exhibition for health and safety reasons, so come early to avoid disappointment.