Marsh's Library

The oldest public library in Ireland

The oldest public library in Ireland opened its doors in 1707 and still displays its 25,000 rare books—a remarkable collection of volumes from the late Renaissance and early Enlightenment period—on the original oak bookcases.

There are fantastical Bibles on display in the first hall, and medical texts in the second—in the very first display case is a 1662 pop-up book but not for kiddies; this one is René Descarte’s De Hominae Figuris.

This library does, in fact welcome the kiddies, offering them (upon reservation) ink quills and old typewriters to play with while mummy and daddy get a tour of the dusty old tomes, and regularly offering book-making and other workshops for kids.

Tips

• Planning your time: It only take about 20 minutes to wander through, but it's cool for bibliophiles