Dublin, University

Dublin, University of

 or Trinity College

Oldest university in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I and endowed by the city of Dublin. Trinity was originally intended to be the first of many constituent colleges of the university, but no others were established, and the two names became interchangeable. The full benefits of the university (degrees, fellowships, scholarships, etc.) were for many years limited to Anglicans, but in 1873 all religious requirements were eliminated. The university has faculties of arts (humanities and letters), sciences, business, economic and social studies, engineering and systems sciences, health sciences, and graduate studies. The library contains many illuminated manuscripts, including the Book of Kells.