Built in 1707 by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, this is Ireland's oldest public library and one of the few 18th-century buildings in Dublin still used for its original purpose. Readers were once locked into wired alcoves, or 'cages,' with rare books to prevent theft, a feature still visible today alongside 25,000 books dating to the 16th century.
| Admission | €5 adult, €4 concession, free under 12 (~$5.50 / ~$4.40) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon, Wed–Fri 09:30–17:00, Sat 10:00–17:00; closed Tue and Sun |
| Typical visit | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday mornings when readers are using the caged alcoves; quiet and atmospheric |
| Getting there | Bus 49, 54A, 56A; 3-min walk from St. Patrick's Cathedral |
| Address | St Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, D08 HH85, Ireland |
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
St Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, D08 HH85, Ireland
53.3391, -6.2706 View on map
Highlights
- Original 1707 wired reading cages still in place
- 25,000 books dating from the 16th to early 18th century
- Bullet hole in a display case from the 1916 Easter Rising
- Unchanged interior, one of Dublin's few intact Georgian-era rooms
Tips for visiting
- The library is small and best appreciated slowly — allow a full 45 minutes rather than rushing through
- It closes Tuesdays and Sundays, unlike most nearby attractions, so plan the visit around those closures