Trinity launches ‘Trinity Trails’ campus walking tours

Posted on: 21 June 2022

Departing from the bell tower (the Campanile) in Trinity’s Front Square, visitors enjoy a 45-minute guided or self-guided loop of the campus, exploring and discovering Trinity’s hidden gems. The Trail completes by The Old Library where visitors can either continue their journey into the Book of Kells and Old Library exhibition, or enjoy lunch or coffee at one of Trinity’s restaurants and cafes.

Over 30 Trinity contributors from 14 schools and departments were involved in developing the content and compelling stories that make Trinity Trails so unique. The cross-campus collaboration included academics, staff, students and researchers who are all passionate about highlighting Trinity’s rich history and heritage across each of their areas of expertise.

Key points of interest along the trail include the Old Anatomy Museum, Museum Building, Rose Garden and Zoological Museum. Visitors who opt for the Self-Guided Tour have access to immersive 360 tours and AR experiences with highlights including engaging with two of the Zoological Museum's most precious artefacts – bringing to life Prince Tom the Royal Elephant or the Great Auk which has been extinct since the 1800s.

Visitors to Trinity can also enjoy affordable overnight stays in the heart of campus with heritage bedrooms available to book throughout the Summer months. Choose from singles, twins, doubles or apartments that sleep up to 6 people, and wake up to a delicious breakfast served in The Buttery café.

Trinity Trails tickets can be booked via www.tcd.ie/visitors/trinitytrails and Self-Guided Tours can be accessed by downloading the Visit Trinity App available on the Apple and Google store. Rooms are available from €100 per night at www.tcd.ie/summeraccommodation. Proceeds generated by Trinity Trails and Summer Accommodation are reinvested back into the College to support the academic mission of the university and fund development projects and conservation programmes.

Speaking about Trinity Trails, Chief Operating Officer, Orla Cunningham, says:

 “From the beginning, this has been a collaborative cross-campus partnership, with over 30 contributors from 14 departments giving so generously of their time and expertise to uncover the hidden gems and deliver the compelling stories that make the Trinity Trails so unique. We are delighted to welcome visitors, alumni and students alike to enjoy the Trinity campus in a way they may never have seen before and discover our 430 years of history and heritage.”

Patrick Wyse Jackson, Head of School of Natural Sciences, Associate Professor of Geology and Curator, Geological Museum says:

“Trinity Trails brings to life the city centre campus of Trinity.  Visitors learn and understand the significance of the evolving architectural heritage of the College, from the iconic Georgian buildings such as the West Front that opens onto cobbled squares to the Victorian Museum Building with its polychromatic columns and naturalistic carvings, and the more recent Business School with a planted exterior green wall. Perhaps more importantly, visitors will comprehend the wide-ranging work of the university over four centuries and the importance that staff, students and alumni have made to global culture, literature and sciences through teaching, learning, research and innovation.”