National Library of Ireland

An extraordinary center for the culture & heritage of the Irish people & their history, marred only by its somewhat limited hours, the fact that photography of the impressive Reading Room isn’t allowed, & that despite the ample offerings of the National Museum next door, the library had no gift shop. As someone who has worked in the library profession for 25 years, I was somewhat disappointed — as both a way to raise funds & celebrate pride & awareness of a library’s collection, even a modest gift shop would be appreciated.
Still, the library is very much worth a visit. Visitors who are students of literature should be very impressed by the substantial multimedia exhibition on WB Yeats, those with a research agenda should find their needs met quite readily by the attentive staff, & those interested in just seeing an impressive example of architecture should also be quite satisfied.

This gets five stars because it does what you might expect a library to, and more. I have a great fondness for it, because it has some of the fanciest jacks in Dublin, the microfilm readers allow you to delve into newspapers of yesteryear (I once did a project on the Irish coverage of Jack the Ripper’s crimes, which was fascinating) and it contains a fantastic William Butler Yeats exhibition. I particularly like the arrangement of benches and white walls onto which his poetry is projected, while famous Irish voices speak the words. Dreamy.

The National Library of Ireland is one of those places you overlook.
The National Museum is just across from it, and it is basically the Pippa Middleton of museums. The poor NLI is overshadowed every time by it’s sister, but it shouldn’t be because it’s super cool.
The NLI is a wonderful place to go if you love architecture. The building alone is massively impressive, so even if you take a quick peek inside, I personally think it’s a journey made worthwhile.
What’s so great about the NLI is that they hold really interesting exhibitions, which tourists and locals will love. If you’re reading this before 25 May 2014, you can still catch the WB Yeats exhibition. By far this is the best exhibition I have been to in a long time. Visually it is stunning.
If exhibitions aren’t you deal then head up to the genealogy services room. Here you can access Irish and British Origins, along with a newspaper database containing most Irish papers both still in print and out of print. Take a quick search and see if you can find any juicy information on your ancestors. You’ll be surprised by what you might find. Be careful though, the registrations for these databases seem to be slightly patchy, so you may find yourself unable to access their online services.
Further upstairs is the reading room. You will need a reading card to study any of the books in this room. You are not supposed to take coats or bags into this room, and you will find secure lockers downstairs to store your items.
Conveniently, the NLI has a very nice café and rather eccentric bathrooms. Going into the bathrooms here is a wonder in itself.
Be warned though, the NLI becomes very busy in the summer months because of the influx of American tourists and there will be queues to use the genealogy services room. Go now while you still can!

It’s not often enough that we Irish visit the tourist attractions in our own home town. So with a friend from Poland I joined the tour of the National Library and were both left massively impressed.
I’ve been here a few times but the tour really brought the building to life for the first time. With friendly staff giving interesting information about the architecture, paintings and patrons the time zoomed by and we soon found ourselves in the central reading room. While there we were allowed to look through the books and ask more question of the Librarians.
The reception area has secure lockers, so you can leave your baggage while you wander, and there is also a great café that’s open to all.
Tours are free and no booking is required.

I can read in red. I can read in blue.
I can read in pickle color too.
I can read in bed, and in purple. and in brown.
I can read in a circle and upside down!
I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right.
I can read Mississippi with my eyes shut tight!
Dr. Seuss
I can’t say that I’ve ever spent more then a few minutes in a Library. I mean I like to read and I have no doubt that I would enjoy the silence but as a place to hang out… can’t say so much. I have no doubt that this is a wonderful library and wouldn’t mind coming back to do a little research on the family history but it was closed for some reason when I went last. Lucky for me the Yeats Exhibition was open though.
If you are or you aren’t a fan of Yeats, I’m fairly confident that you most certainly will be a fan after. As for the fans, you will learn all kinds of new things. Yeats was very cool and sorts of creative. I’ll save the info so that you can go find out for yourself. Also check out this amazing virtual experience or the exhibit
Their coffee shop is really convenient. The staff is nice as you grab a cup or a small pastry.

How often is a library extra cool?!? Not much!
As soon as we walked in, we knew we were somewhere special. Besides the great architecture, the William Butler Yeats exhibition was super! As an English teacher, I adore this type of experience; but it was up and beyond for a library. I was convinced I was in a museum.
After being «awwed» by the exhibit, I decided to celebrate by having a latte. The library café is adorable and the latte was great. There are also several sandwiches and soups offered. Too bad we ate at Cornucopia prior to the field trip (so kidding!). All kidding aside, lunch offerings were were extremely inviting if hungry.
I am so glad we decided to slow down our second trip to Ireland and enjoy the intellectual adventures, as well!

This is an amazing building and I am still a little in awe of it as I wonder round. The staff are very helpful in helping you to find what you need.
Great toilets although the leather armchairs seem a little out of place and the tiles should be chucked as they are a crime to the building.
Coffee Shop is great for the breakfast… don’t mention the cakes — too tempting.
Genealogy services which is most likely why the majority of visitors go there are very helpful and patient. You can do a free look up on their PC’s which would cost outside of the library.

The National Library is fairly cool, particularly if you’ve any interest in genealogy. Or local history in general. The parish lists and so forth can give some seriously interesting insights into local life. The exhibition space is always well used and has a range of fascinating exhibitions throughout the year. The National Library also is home to the heralds of arms, who will bestow coats of arms on you if you’re suitable. How cool is that?!
Unfortunately, the entrance at the moment is a bit of a building site, which makes for a less-​than-​glamorous look, but don’t be fooled… it’s lovely inside. And a special mention of the toilets, which are huge with armchairs. Now, I’m not entirely sure why one would necessarily need an armchair in the jacks, but it still makes it feel luxurious.

The Yeats Exhibition: Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats is an excellent exhibition and really worth a look.
The exhibition has been described in The Irish Times as «one of the most important literary exhibitions yet staged internationally».
This is a multimedia exhibit and a delight to explore and learn through.
Guided tours take place at 3.30pm on weekdays (with an additional evening tour on Wednesdays at 5.30pm) and at 11.30am and 3.00pm on Saturdays.

Although it takes a bit of effort and its really only for those with an interest, the National Library is worth a look, the main viewing area is open to the public pretty much all the time. The manuscrips and reading rooms will require a readers ticket. Which requires a readers ticket, a lock of you hair, letter for your Mum, pint of blood etc. Nah only joking but they do interview you.
Very big with tourists doing genealogical (family tree) research. They keep the follow records. ‘Catholic parish registers, copies of the important nineteenth century land valuations (the Tithe Applotment Books and Griffith’s Valuation), trade and social directories, estate records and newspapers.‘
The Genealogy Advisory Service accepts personal visits only, so be prepared to dig deep if you want to find out about grannys trip on the coffin ship.
As well as this at the moment in the public viewing area, theres a pretty good exhibition of W. B Yeats memorabilia and if the very interactive website is anything to go by is well worth a visit.

There are two sides to the National Library coin: the exhibition, open to the public, and the reading room, closed to all apart from researchers.
Both are excellent. Currently on display in the exhibition is the long-​running Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats, featuring an exhausting array of the poet’s writings and possessions. Not to be missed.
Meanwhile, those who can access the reading room will be treated to an inspiring library of everything relating to Irish literature, art, politics throughout the centuries.
A genealogical service is also available.