dlrLexicon
There’s a regular two-page spread in the Independent Traveller section of Saturday’s Independent called “Travel Agenda : Where to Go, What to Know” that gives a few pithy lines about what’s going on in the world of travel.
Approaching dlrLexicon
The ‘back’ of dlrLexicon
A few months ago I spotted a brief mention of the dlrLexicon, the newly opened Dun Laoghaire public library. The library was said to greet drivers as they disembarked from the Holyhead ferry. In fact there is no longer a ferry terminal at Dun Laoghaire but I knew exactly the location of the Library as many times in the past I’ve arrived at Dun Laoghaire from North Wales.
Light and airy for studying and browsing
DLR stands for Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown. On my visit we started the day with coffee and delicious cake in Brambles Cafe on the ground floor. Later in the day we explored the other floors, looking at the views and the stock.
The Beautiful Librarians – dlrLexicon book stock
Popular with all ages
The massive building is shaped like a liner, which is rather apt since a partnership has been struck between dlrLexicon and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company in order to promote the town as a leading cruise destination. Indeed, on the day of our visit an Irish cultural variety show – music, song and dance – was laid on in the garden area. Not for cruise passengers only; free access is also offered to the public.
Dun Laoghaire Marina, East Pier and Cruise Liner
The Bolton Library, Cashel
On my first visit to Cashel as I travelled from Co. Waterford up to Co. Kildare I stopped off in Cashel. As I was leaving The Rock of Cashel I noticed this poster :
Well, how could I resist when a couple of days later I found myself heading back down to Co. Cork? What an amazing treasure trove! I could hardly believe this place existed. Upstairs is even fitted out as an exact replica in miniature of Trinity College Library in Dublin where the famous Book of Kells is now housed. Bolton Library Upper Floor [Picture source]
I think they mean William Caxton!
I parked up in Cashel and headed for the Tourist Office where a very helpful young lady rang Martin, the curator, who said he would be happy to show me around the library so drove straight to the St John’s Cathedral and was met by the enthusiastic Martin.
The Bijou Bolton Library
You can read more about the treasures Bolton Library Document but I was amazed to see the world’s tiniest book – The Lord’s Prayer in German; an early Caxton printing of Chaucer; the earliest use of the word Zero; the 1493 Nuremburg Chronicle and many more treasures besides.
The Upper Floor [source]
NOTE : The Bolton Library is now in the care of The University of Limerick
http://www.ul.ie/ullinks/features-opinions/bolton-library
4 March 2017
miladysboudoir 
Whilst the first library impresses with its modernity and size, the second was a real gem. How lucky you were able to be shown round.
Yes, I thought so too, Fran. No one seemed to know about it. I was short of time so would definitely arrange to go again.
There are very enthusiastic collectors of miniature books. The earliest I’ve found was a 17th century Thumb Bible, measuring about 1.5 by 1 inches. It would be amazing to see the Caxton miniature.
In Berlin there’s a shop that just sells tiny books. The Caxton and the tiniest books are two separate items.
[…] took place a month earlier when Declan and I drove over to Dun Laoghaire for the day to visit the new Library and the Martello Tower nearby. We didn’t dress up but we’d had a ‘full […]