Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Old Library, a part of the Book of Kells exhibition. Shutterstock/STLJB

TCD could lose at least €3 million after decision to close Book of Kells due to coronavirus fears

The Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s top tourism attractions.

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN could face losing at least €3 million in revenue following its decision to close the Book of Kells exhibition amid Covid-19 concerns. 

Yesterday, the university announced that all lectures would be delivered online for the rest of the semester while the Book of Kells and Old Library – one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions – would be shuttered alongside the the Science Gallery and the Douglas Hyde Gallery for the foreseeable future. 

The city centre university makes around €12 million a year from tourists visiting the Book of Kells and buying merchandise, Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Ruane said in 2019. 

Now, with health officials stressing that the global outbreak of Covid-19 is going to last for at least several months, the college could face a significant hit to its commercial activities. 

In 2018, 1,057,642 people visited the Book of Kells, which currently has an admissions fee of up to €14. 

With peak tourism season arriving, a closure of even three months could cost the college at least €3 million in revenue. 

Like other Irish attractions, visitor numbers and revenue would have likely been down in the coming months at the Book of Kells as foreign tourists decide to stay at home and avoid travel due to the coronavirus. 

As things stand, there have been over 114,000 cases of Covid-19 confirmed around the world and over 4,000 deaths. 

Trinity College confirmed last week that a single case of coronavirus had been confirmed within the university. 

A notice on the Book of Kells website currently states that the exhibition will close “until further notice”.

“This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of Covid-19. The decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community,” it states. 

“Existing ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds via email.”

While tutorials, seminars and laboratory practicals will all continue to be held in person, lectures will not be going ahead as normal for the rest of the term.

A spokesperson for Trinity College told TheJournal.ie that the decision to close the attractions was made for the safety of the college community. 

The spokesperson wouldn’t discuss what the financial cost of the decision would be, but said that it was “made for health reasons”.

“Cost implications were a secondary concern,” the spokesperson said.

Other colleges have also taken measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. In Dublin City University, the spring graduation ceremony will be postponed. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
29 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Needham
    Favourite Joan Needham
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:49 PM

    I let my 8yr old son take a day off school last year to spend it watching silage being cut. When I asked him what he was going to tell his teacher the next day, he told me he would tell him he spent the day doing work experience…I couldnt argue with that! I had to take the day off work as a paid holiday to sit with him watching the tractors going by. It was a great memory day for him and me.

    272
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 12:11 AM

    Next time approach a farmer, fairly sure he will let you help, farmers go unnoticed by so many.

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Donovan
    Favourite Matt Donovan
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:38 PM

    That’s the kind of Dad I want to be with my daughter.

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papasmurf
    Favourite Papasmurf
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:42 PM

    It would be really funny if it was convent with a mother superior type reading it.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papasmurf
    Favourite Papasmurf
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:43 PM

    Matt, if it was Ireland the kid wouldn’t have made it in at all as they would have all headed back to the residents bar in the hotel for a tipple afterwards.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne O'Hara
    Favourite Anne O'Hara
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:39 PM

    The Boss does a show that’s worth the money and more. Fair play to Dad :-)

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tmwtbc
    Favourite tmwtbc
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:48 PM

    Friend of mine, not a fan until then, went to see him in Dublin around 2010 (open to correction). Met him in a bar for a few pints afterwards and he was absolutely blown away.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nf
    Favourite nf
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:36 PM

    I wanna be that dad

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnneary
    Favourite Johnneary
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:39 PM

    Bruce Shillingsteal.
    The Caviar Denim Whingebag.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:48 PM

    Been lucky enough to see the Boss play live, no-one does a show like him. Puts his heart and soul into every classic and is coolness personified. Isabelle will carry that buzz forever. Cool Dad.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papasmurf
    Favourite Papasmurf
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:52 PM

    Willie Nelson is known to keep going too at gigs.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:35 PM

    I gave my son the day off after going to see u2 because he called me to ask could he go on to the after party, first told him he would have to go in to school in the morning, then called him back 5 mins later to let him know he didn’t! Thease are special memories for them, allow them to enjoy them. As they say you only live once!! :-)

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute margaret donohoe
    Favourite margaret donohoe
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:47 PM

    Amazing dad fair play to him.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lad
    Favourite Lad
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:41 PM

    Letter to work sorted..

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom
    Favourite Tom
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:36 PM

    Smacks of over sharing, it would be nice if it was their own private experience rather than him claiming it publicly.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Guru
    Favourite The Guru
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 2:03 AM

    They’re American. They have no concept of over sharing.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 1:31 AM

    Agh Benny & Tom would you both lighten up! This is about a father & daughter having a great evening out & his daughter having/making a memory that will stay with her all her life! X

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Dunphy
    Favourite Jimmy Dunphy
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 12:02 AM

    There’s going to be a whole lot of 12 year olds at the next Bruce Springsteen concerts

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerry meagher
    Favourite gerry meagher
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 1:45 AM

    Mine won’t go ‘dad rock’ ffs

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Benny Dorm
    Favourite Benny Dorm
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:56 PM

    Nothing spectacular.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerry meagher
    Favourite gerry meagher
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:11 PM

    Greatest live act prices are a bit steep though although all acts seem to charge more here than rest of Europe citing extra costs logistics etc

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alpha_chaarlie
    Favourite alpha_chaarlie
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 10:18 AM

    Bruce Springsteen is a Langer

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek McEvoy
    Favourite Derek McEvoy
    Report
    Feb 11th 2016, 8:09 AM

    Thats class, the same man didnt even know about Brian Healys stag in Manchester next weekend. Strange or what. Imagine he knew about the water charges

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds