Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland and endowed by the city of Dublin. It is also known as the University of Dublin. Its library contains the Book of Kells illuminated manuscript.

Trinity remains Ireland’s most prestigious university, and competition for places is tough. It has around 18,000 students: around 600 of them live on campus still. The campus is often busy at weekends and peak hours during the week: go once the students have left (5pm or so) to enjoy it more peacefully.