Brilliant Books & A Heavenly Harp: My Tour Of The Long Room
I have to admit that when I visited the Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin, I yearned to grab a book - just lean ever so slightly over the ropes that cordoned off those important-looking tomes and hold one in my eager hands. (They have quite a collection. According to the college’s website, https://www.tcd.ie/library/old-library/long-room/, “since 1801 the Library had been given the right to claim a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland”). I’d hold it very delicately and innocently gaze upon the cover and maybe even crack it open to read a line or two or three and put it gingerly back on the shelf. (There is a proper procedure for requesting books. I would just be a reading rebel.)
However, l knew I couldn’t go through with that daydream for the sake of the preservation of books and my family’s dignity. I could just imagine my sister, Stephanie, having to endure standing stoically beside me while I got in trouble. Steph has been my unfortunate companion when I’ve irked security guards at other cultural institutions in the United States, before and after this trip. There was the time, for example, when I leaned in too close to a painting at an art museum, while snapping a photo. (In my defense, Édouard Manet’s flowers are so lovely, you just drift closer to inhale their floral scent.) I felt that same sense of enthusiasm in this renowned library because I went to library school and I love books and beautiful places to read books.
The Long Room is at the top of the list for people who fit that description and even those that don’t. The gift of wonder can surprise you. For example, after listening to an enchanting recording of the famous Trinity College Harp (see photo and description below), which is on display in the library, I emailed the college to ask if they had a recording of the harp that I could listen to from the States and I toyed with the idea of buying a mini harp as a souvenir and taking lessons in Chicago.
The building itself has been a source of inspiration for over 300 years. According to “A Pictorial Guide to Trinity College Dublin” by The University of Dublin, The Old Library building, which houses the famous Book of Kells and the Long Room, with its barrel-shaped ceiling (an 1860 renovation, according to the library’s website), was originally built between 1712 and 1732. The architect was a graduate of Trinity College named Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Burgh. He served as a military engineer and contributed to the reconstruction of other important buildings, such as Dublin Castle.
Note: Hover over photos for captions.
The library’s storied history has not kept it from seeking to be more inclusive, though. When Stephanie and I walked through that hallowed chamber, I did not question that all of the marble busts, whose history dates as far back as 1743 (https://www.tcd.ie/library/old-library/long-room/), were men. They represent great and venerated thinkers, such as William Shakespeare and Socrates. Then I read a 2020 article, which revealed that the university is commissioning statues of four accomplished women, including Rosalind Franklin whose work was pivotal in discovering the helical structure of DNA, to add to that elite company, https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-and-design/four-new-statues-to-end-trinity-long-room-s-men-only-image-1.4420412. I thought, “Wow! Women should be represented in the Long Room. I should expect to see someone who looks like me because genius has no gender.” Sexism can’t diminish that truth anymore. A story of true equality is increasingly within our reach.
“Another item often associated with the Emperor of the Irish, Brian Boru, in this case erroneously, is the Trinity College Harp. This is the oldest known musical instrument of its type in Ireland, probably dating from the 14th century. Its representation has been part of the coat of arms of the O’Neill clan for centuries and subsequently became the same for the newly formed free state of Ireland in 1922. It can be seen on all Irish Government stationery and on Euro coins and Irish currency since the foundation of the state. On permanent display in the Long Room of Trinity’s Old Library, it is one of the many popular items of interest to the 740,000 guests who visit each year.” - A Pictorial Guide to Trinity College Dublin, The University Of Dublin
As the 739,999th guest, I can attest that it was indeed of interest. I discovered the magic of the harp that day.
“[The harp] is made of oak and willow with 29 brass strings. It is the model for the emblem of Ireland.” - https://www.tcd.ie/library/old-library/long-room/
It creates sounds that I assume accompany angels.
