Ireland is a country with great cultural wealth. With so many options for tours, some tourists wonder if it is worth knowing the Chester Beatty Library. For lovers of literature, this is without a doubt one of the most interesting tours to do in Dublin. If you enjoy cultural outings and love reading, this is definitely the ideal place to visit in Dublin.
Chester Beaty, for those who don’t know, was a miner from the United States, who decided to move to Dublin. With him, the magnate took his rich collection of documents, objects and archaeological finds linked to writing, dating back to 2700 BC. In addition to documents, papyri and books, it is possible to follow, for example, the development of writing and binding methods. In 2002, the site was awarded the European Museum of the Year.
The miner was a passionate literature enthusiast. So much so that the exhibition available at the bookstore represents only about 1% of its entire collection.
What’s in the Chester Beatty Library?
Undoubtedly, one of the great attractions are the Egyptian papyri and millenary manuscripts of the Bible, both from the Old and New Testaments. The Chester Beatty Library also has old copies of the Quran and other religious books.
On your visit to Chester Beatty Library you will be able to get in touch with the culture of different peoples, such as Ethiopians, Chinese, Persians, Japanese, Burmese, Arabic and even some materials of uncertain origin.
In addition to being a tourist option, the place works as a research center for students from all over Ireland, who go to the place to carry out studies and survey historical data. However, to have access to some documents and manuscripts, it is necessary to be a doctoral student, as the common public cannot have access to some relics, precisely to maintain their state of conservation.
The collections are currently divided into two categories: “sacred traditions” and “the art of the book”. In addition to the permanent collections, the museum organizes temporary, themed exhibitions, bringing incredible revelations to the public.
Today, the bookstore is housed in a castle, where it has been an annex since 2000.
Is it worth knowing the Chester Beatty Library?
If you are in Dublin, this tour cannot be missed on your agenda. It is definitely a cultural tour not to be missed. Free admission is another attraction for you to discover this charming bookstore, unique in Europe.
Opening days and hours vary according to the time of year, so it is important that you inform yourself about this when taking this tour. For up-to-date information on the bookstore’s website, click here.
