Trinity College has billed its Students' Union €214,285 following protests outside the Book of Kells. 

On five occasions since September, students have blockaded the entrance to the Book of Kells, forcing tourists to cancel their visits.

The students want Trinity to cancel an increase in the cost of one year postgraduate degrees and urged the college to instead raise the price of a ticket to see the Book of Kells by €2.

However, in a statement to Newstalk, Trinity described the money they receive from the Book of Kells as a “vital” income source and said the college “cannot survive solely on Government funding”.

The entrance to the Book Of Kells at Trinity College Dublin. Image: Pictures Colour Library / Alamy Stock Photo

“Any loss of income at the Book of Kells Experience directly affects our ability to deliver services for our students, not to mention our legal obligation to financially balance the books,” a spokesperson said.

“The student protests involving blockages of the Book of Kells Experience has had a negative financial impact as visitors could not enter.

“Trinity has an obligation to protect the Book of Kells which is a national treasure. The university supports students’ right to protest within the rules of the university".

Protestors at the Book of Kells Experience in Trinity College Dublin, 01/05/2024. Image: Rory Chinn/Trinity News

Speaking to Lunchtime Live earlier this week, Students’ Union President László Molnárfi said education is already too expensive for many students.

“Education should be a public good, it should not be a luxury,” he said.

“When our university management ignores our requests, our polite requests, through petitions and meetings... then we must escalate as a union because that is what a union is for.

“Students are pleading with the university to please not put more financial burden on students – this is the only way to get a reaction out of them.”

The Books of Kells is a illustrated manuscript dating back from the mediaeval period.

Main image: Trinity College students blockade the entrance to the Book of Kells during a housing protest. Image: Ellen Kenny