Trinity College

The Trinity College of Dublin, officially known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, is one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in Ireland. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College has a rich and fascinating history that is closely intertwined with that of the city of Dublin and Ireland itself. Located in the heart of the Irish capital, this university college has educated some of the brightest minds in the country and continues to be a center of academic excellence and vibrant cultural life. The establishment of Trinity College occurred during a period of significant political and religious changes in Ireland. In the context of the Protestant Reformation, Elizabeth I wanted to create a stronghold of Protestantism in a country then dominated by the Catholic faith. The founding of the college also responded to the need to provide quality higher education to a new generation of Protestant leaders. The site chosen for the college was originally occupied by an Augustinian monastery, which was suppressed and transformed into a university campus. One of the most fascinating aspects of Trinity College is its architecture. The campus is a true gem of architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to Neoclassical. The main entrance, known as the Front Gate, leads visitors to Parliament Square, the heart of the campus, where some of the most iconic buildings are located. The Old Library, built in the 18th century, is perhaps the most famous building of Trinity College. This majestic building houses the Long Room, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, with over 200,000 volumes arranged on wooden shelves that extend for almost 65 meters. Among the treasures housed in the Old Library is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to 800 AD, which represents one of the masterpieces of Irish medieval art. The Book of Kells is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Trinity College. This manuscript contains the four Gospels of the New Testament and is distinguished by its extraordinary decoration, with intricate illustrations and exceptionally beautiful calligraphy. Created by the monks of the Abbey of Kells, the book was brought to Trinity College in the 17th century, where it has remained as one of the university’s most precious treasures. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Old Library to admire up close this extraordinary example of art and religious devotion. In addition to the Book of Kells, the Old Library also houses the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, one of the most important documents in Irish history. This proclamation, read by Patrick Pearse outside the General Post Office in Dublin on April 24, 1916, during the Easter Rising, declared Ireland’s independence from the United Kingdom. The presence of this document at Trinity College underscores the central role the university has played in Ireland’s political history. Trinity College has a long tradition of academic excellence and has educated some of the most illustrious Irish thinkers and writers. Among the most famous alumni are Jonathan Swift, author of “Gulliver’s Travels”; Oscar Wilde, celebrated playwright and poet; Samuel Beckett, Nobel Prize winner for literature; and Edmund Burke, one of the most influential philosophers and politicians of the 18th century. This tradition of excellence continues today, with Trinity College consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. The Trinity College campus is a microcosm of Dublin’s intellectual and cultural life. In addition to academic activities, students participate in a wide range of societies and clubs, ranging from political debates to music, from sports to literature. These extracurricular activities help create a lively and stimulating environment where students can develop not only their academic knowledge but also their personal and social skills. One of the most interesting anecdotes related to Trinity College concerns the Campanile, a neoclassical tower built in 1853. According to a student legend, if a student passes under the Campanile when it rings, they will not pass their exams. This superstition is taken so seriously that during exam periods, many students deliberately avoid passing under the tower, preferring to take a longer route rather than challenge fate.