Visit the Armagh Robinson Library

Even the entrance to the Armagh Robinson Library suggests you are somewhere special. As you walk in through the elegant front door, you’ll pass under the original stone plaque with the words “the healing place of the soul” inscribed in Greek. It’s a great hint at what’s to come within this extraordinary temple to the written word. Dating back to 1771, the Armagh Robinson Library was founded by Archbishop Richard Robinson who had an impressive collection of books and fine art he wanted to share with the community, in a space where regular people could visit without appointment. The library now holds approximately 46,000 printed works covering a wide range of subjects, as well as ancient and medieval coins, sulphur gems, maps and medals.

The Long Room is the main space in this building. Large windows allow lots of natural light into a room of floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Complete with intricate ceiling designs, spiral staircase and stone busts, the Long Room is the perfect setting to peruse medieval manuscripts, early printed books and other vital pieces of literature – including Jonathan Swift’s copy of Gulliver’s Travels with handwritten comments from the author. The Long Room is also where both permanent exhibitions such as Thomas Cooley. An Architectural Legacy and temporary exhibitions including Botany: the Science of Beauty are held. Check the library’s website for news of upcoming exhibitions you may want to factor into your travel itinerary.