Trinity Takes Part in Culture Night 2009

Posted on: 24 September 2009

As part of Culture Night 2009, Trinity College’s Old Library and Book of Kells exhibition, the Zoological Museum and Science Gallery are opening their doors, free of charge, to the public.  Now in its fourth year, Culture Night 2009 will take place on Friday September 25th, and features over 120 arts and cultural organisations in Dublin alone, all of whom will open their doors until late to ensure people from all age groups and backgrounds have the opportunity to experience a wide range of cultural activities.

Located in the heart of Dublin city and TCD, the Book of Kells is the centrepiece of the exhibition, Turning Darkness into Light.  Written around the year 800 AD, it is an illuminated manuscript containing a richly decorated copy of the four gospels.  Embellished by the elaboration of key words and phrases in the script and by a range of intricate and lavish drawings throughout, the Book of Kells is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure.

The Long Room in Trinity’s Old Library houses over 200,000 of the College’s oldest books.  Stretching nearly 65 metres in length the Long Room boasts a collection of marble busts that began in 1743 depicting the great philosophers and writers of the western world as well as Ireland’s oldest harp.  An exhibition on Napoleon: Emperor of the French is also currently on display.  The Long Room and Book of Kells exhibitions will open for Culture Night at 5pm and close to the public at 10pm.

The Zoological Museum, located on the first floor of the Zoology building, contains a collection of over 20,000 specimens and dates back over 200 years.  Featuring extinct and endangered species, visitors to the museum will come face-to-face with Ireland’s Last Great Auk, the Tasmanian Wolf and the Great Indian Rhinoceros.  Tours of the museum will take place every 30 minutes from 5.30pm to 8pm and further information can be requested from the Museum’s curator on mlinnie@tcd.ie.   

The Science Gallery’s ‘Bubble’ exhibition will host its final night on 25th September as part of Culture Night 2009.  Remaining open until 11pm, visitors are invited to experiment with soap films and light to create unique forms and images in a show that is sure to sparkle, while enjoying a special DJ performance and plenty of bubble based surprises.  A special talk with Brian Fallon, founder of daft.ie, will also take place at 6pm and pre-booking via the website is essential to attend this free event. 

Dublin’s first Culture Night took place in 2006 as an initiative led by Temple Bar Cultural Trust in association with the Council of National Cultural Institutions and supported by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.  Now in its fourth year the event has taken on a national aspect as cultural venues in other counties such as Cork, Galway, Sligo and Mayo, to name but a few, open their doors to the public, allowing people an opportunity to connect with the artistic and cultural heritage of the country.

Image of Campanile by Night supplied by Mr Riccardo Bresciani.