Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
BREWERY, MUSEUM
CHURCH
CHURCH
MUSEUM
MUSEUM
MARSH'S LIBRARY
LIBRARY
(
www.marshlibrary.ie
; St Patrick's Close; adult/child €2.50/free; 9.30am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon & Wed-Fri, 10am-1pm
Sat; 50, 50A or 56A from Aston Quay, 54 or 54A from Burgh Quay)
It mightn't have the immediate ap-
peal of a brewery or a big old church, but this magnificently preserved scholars' library,
virtually unchanged in three centuries, is one of Dublin's most beautiful open secrets, and
an absolute highlight of any visit. Few think to scale its ancient stairs to see its beautiful,
dark oak bookcases, each topped with elaborately carved and gilded gables, and crammed
with books. Here you can savour the atmosphere of three centuries of learning, slow into
synch with the tick-tocking of the 19th-century grandfather clock, listen to the squeaky
boards and absorb the scent of leather and learning. It's amazing how many people visit St
Patrick's Cathedral next door and overlook this gem.
Founded in 1701 by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh (1638-1713) and opened in 1707, the
library was designed by Sir William Robinson, the man also responsible for the Royal Hos-
pital Kilmainham. It's the oldest public library in the country, and contains 25,000 books
dating from the 16th to the early 18th century, as well as maps, manuscripts (including one
