You’ll discover the ancient Marsh’s Library next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, where it has been since 1707.
Cages, bullet holes and ancient books are just part of the story of the wonderful Marsh’s Library in Dublin!
Ireland’s oldest library dates back to 1707 and is one of the last 18th-century buildings in Ireland still used for its original purpose.
Some quick need-to-knows about Marsh’s Library in Dublin
Although a visit to Marsh’s Library is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
You’ll find Marsh’s Library in the shadows of St Patrick’s Cathedral, on St Patrick’s Close.
2. Opening hours
Marsh’s is open from 09:30 to 17:00, Tuesday to Friday, and from 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays.
3. Tickets
Tickets for Marsh’s Library cost:
- Adults: €7
- Seniors/concession: €4
- Combo: Marsh’s + St Patrick’s Cathedral for €15
The history of Marsh’s Library

Photos by James Fennell via Failte Ireland
The story of Marsh’s Library begins with the superbly named Archbishop Narcissus Marsh.
Marsh was an English clergyman who moved to Dublin in 1679 when he was named Provost of Trinity College and eventually rose to become Archbishop of Dublin in 1694.
The early days
Not long after this, he began the process of building Marsh’s Library near St Patrick’s Cathedral.
It opened in 1707 (by this time Marsh was the Archbishop of Armagh) and immediately had all of the latest books available at the time, as well as the classics.
And considering all of the changes and events that Dublin has seen over the last 300 years, it’s the only building in the city unchanged from that period that is still used for its original purpose.
Building and safeguarding the collection
The books were donated to the library in the early 18th century by important scholars, so they are very rare and valuable.
Almost 10 per cent of the collection went missing in the first 60 years. So, they brought in cages!
After 1767, if the librarians didn’t like the look of you or if you asked to see some very rare books, you couldn’t sit in the bays and would be locked into one of the cages.
Muriel McCarthy became the first female Keeper in 1989, holding the position until her retirement in 2011.
What to look our for at the oldest library in Dublin

One of the reasons that a visit here is one of the best things to do in Dublin is thanks to the uniqueness of all that lies within.
Here’s a taste of what to expect:
The books and fittings
With a collection of over 25,000 books and 300 manuscripts, the library has a stunning collection of titles from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries (including 80 books from before 1501!).
But the books aren’t the only reason to visit this historic spot. It’s effectively a time machine too!
In fact, things have barely changed inside, and they still have the original bookshelves, the original reading desks and all the books are in the same place as they were 300 years ago.
Bullet holes
Marsh’s Library still has scars remaining from arguably Dublin’s most dramatic event.
The Library came under rifle fire throughout the famous Easter Rising of 1916, but significant damage was inflicted on the morning of Sunday, April 30th.
It was then that a British army machine-gun sprayed the building with bullets, the holes of which are still visible today.
Famous visitors
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a library of this standing attracted some of Dublin’s most famous writers to within its historic walls.
Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and James Joyce are just three of the literary luminaries to pass through its doors.
There’s even a little spot in the central reading room known as Swift’s Corner, where he used to sit and look out at the cathedral.
The ghost of Marsh’s Library

Photo by Big Style Media courtesy Failte Ireland
Of course, there’s a ghost! Though I don’t think it’s quite as scary as the library ghost in Ghostbusters, thankfully.
The ghost of an old man can be seen rummaging through the bookcases at midnight, and this spectre apparently takes the form of the founder of the library, Archbishop Narcissus Marsh himself.
The story goes that his beloved niece fell in love with a sea captain who Marsh didn’t approve of, so she left him a note explaining her decision and asking for forgiveness.
But Archbishop Marsh never found the note, so his apparition returns to the library frequently on an endless search for it.
Things to do near Marsh’s Library
One of the beauties of visiting Marsh’s Library is that it’s a short spin away from some of the best places to visit in Dublin.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the library (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).
- Cathedrals: St Patrick’s Cathedral (right next doo) and Christ Church Cathedral (10-min walk) are both worth exploring
- Whiskey distilleries in Dublin: Two to Dublin’s finest distilleries, Teelings Whiskey Distillery and The Dublin Liberties Distillery are a handy ramble away
- Itineraries: Find full itineraries for spending one day in Dublin, two days in Dublin or three days in Dublin
- Food and pubs: Just a 10-minute walk north from Marsh’s Library is the Brazen Head – the oldest of the many Dublin pubs