Libraries Big and Libraries Small [2]

dlrLexicon

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.

dlr

Approaching dlrLexicon

dlrlex

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.

in dlr

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.

beautiful libs

The Beautiful Librarians – dlrLexicon book stock

inside dlr

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.

cruise ship

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 :

BL 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]

BL sign

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 bolton lib

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.

48383_896

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

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5 comments on “Libraries Big and Libraries Small [2]

  1. Fran says:

    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.

  2. nilly says:

    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.

  3. […] 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 […]

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