Trinity College Dublin

Ireland's oldest University, Trinity College, is in the centre of Dublin. It is a world-famous institution that has carried on the tradition of scholarship on the Emerald Isle for 400 years. Trinity College has some incredible buildings inside and out. It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The aim was to build an institution in Ireland modelled after Cambridge and Oxford. It feels like a castle more than a college, for its tall walls seem unbreakable. The building looms large when a visitor encounters it walking down Grafton Street, which is the most prestigious shopping corridor in Dublin. Not surprisingly, the Georgian architecture university campus appears in movies and novels.

Trinity Trails

There is a guided tour of the campus for those who prefer to find out more about Trinity College's most famous professors, students, and ghosts, rather than simply walking under the ancient front arches. Trinity College offers "Trinity Trails," which includes access to the Old Library. It is a must-see Dublin tour as it invites you to dive into the rich cultural heritage of Trinity College Dublin. Discover the inside of the ancient buildings that are full of cutting-edge innovations.

An adult ticket costs €29, and a family ticket is €65. However, a self-guided tour is free of charge. Additionally, you can consider paying €5 to listen to a tour guide on a Trinity University app, which you can download from the App Store and Google Play. This option is referred to as excellent for independent travellers who want to check out Trinity's rich heritage at their own pace. This tour describes fourteen objects of interest within the campus. It comprises a virtual tour, artefacts, and expert audio commentary.

The oldest facilities date back to 1702, and the average age of its buildings ranges from 1780 to 1790. The remains of an old Augustinian monastery below ground are evidence of the past of Ireland's leading University. Trinity College is where the oldest student philosophical and historical societies were born. The 1730s were a turbulent decade for the University due to a strong Jacobite faction on the throne. Before 1970, it was exclusively Protestant. Only male students could enrol until 1904 when the first female students were given full academic status.

Student life

Some guides who now work for the college were its former students. They will tell you a lot about what studying and living there are like. For example, fellows can order Guinness beer during dinner! It's well-known that the Guinness family is a great supporter of the university. The building indeed features the portrait of the Earl of Guinness. Besides being a prestigious academic institution, Trinity College is a social place where people grow up to be adults. Many sociable societies and clubs combine all varieties of personality and are easy to join.

The local students like to say that personal development is available for those who pursue it. Students are expected to be responsible for their own studies, and thus, self-motivation is essential. Professors are passionate about their subjects, and lectures always have room for discussion. They are ready to help if needed, too. The libraries provide both a broad selection of books and works and a calm space to study. Moreover, the degree received there is highly respected internationally.

Trinity College Ghost

In 1734, drunk students murdered a student, Edward Ford, who lived in the Rubrics, the Trinity's oldest building. Students disliked him for his ill-judgments and interferences with student affairs. The rumour is that Ford's ghost wanders around the Rubrics in a gown.

The dormitories aren't the only place students avoid. According to the legend, a student will fail all their exams if they walk underneath the University's Bell Tower (the Campanile) as the bell tolls. The thing is that the bell rings irregularly, and thus, no one can guarantee that a student passes it safely. The only loophole is to reach Provost George Salmon's statue before the bell stops ringing. However, students will run under the tower when they finish their studies, which is considered a triumph over the Curse of the Campanile.

There is a history behind the statue, too. Female students line up to take their picture with him when they graduate. Why is it so? Salmon is the provost who vowed no woman would ever attend Dublin College until he died. The first women students entered Dublin University in the same year as his death.

Museum Building

This museum building, built between 1853 and 1857, has been home to the Geology Department for over 160 years. Architects Thomas Deane and Benjamin Woodward designed it, inspired by Byzantine architecture.

Almost half the cost of the entire building was spent on exterior decorations. The architects used different material forms for walls, columns, and capitals, such as Portland stone, Calp Limestone, and Ballyknockan granite. You don't want to miss the exterior, which can serve as illustrations to an Aesop fable. It has realistic carvings of flowers, leaves, cats, monkeys, and foxes. Indeed, monumental sculptors John and James O'Shea utilised fresh flowers to make the sculptures lifelike. If you look above the heavy wooden door, you will see the college crest.

The inside of the Museum Building is no less intriguing. The Norman Revival-style lobby, built in the 1850s, greets visitors with a dinosaur exhibit. The main entrance hall is central to Trinity's campus. The hall's large marble pillars, bannisters, and balustrades are designed in Victorian style. This much-celebrated part of the building with the colourful domed roof is a focal point for all students. At the end of the hall, two sweeping marble staircases led to the second floor, making the voices bounce off the canyon-like space.

The Rose Garden is a lovely place where students can relax after attending classes or passing exams. Benches and a velvet lawn make the green location perfect for lounging. Visitors can also enjoy some rest there, as the entrance to Trinity University's courtyard entrance is free. Add the spot if you wish to take an Instagram photo.