Stepping into this vast book-lined room is like walking onto the set of a movie, so grand is its scale and setting. Indeed, sci-fi buffs may well recognise the room's resemblance to the Jedi Archives from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Around 200,000 antiquarian tomes adorn the Long Room's double-storey open shelves which stretch almost 65m in length. Built between 1712-63, and featuring a stunning 12.6m high timber barrel vaulted ceiling, the room also contains rows of marble busts - including one of writer and Dean Johnathan Swift - and Ireland's oldest harp, the c.15th Century Brian Boru. Named after the high king of Ireland who died in 1014, the harp is a symbol of Ireland and the same one that appears on Irish coins. Also on display is one of only a few remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Changing exhibitions add to the Long Room's creative charm and visitor appeal.
