The Library bequeated to the Irish nation in 1956 by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty contains approximately 22, 000 manuscripts, rare books, miniature paintings and objects from Western, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern cultures.

There are over 270 copies of the Koran among the Islamic manuscripts, including illuminations by some of the greatest master calligraphers and 2, 700 Arabic texts. There is a very fine collection of Turkish manuscripts and paintings. The Library has particulary good collections of Biblical material, which includes Syriac, Armenian, Ethiopian and Coptic texts, also early Western Bibles and Books of Hours. Of international importance are the Biblical Papyri dating from the early 2nd to the 4th century A.D.

Open: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm (May-September), Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm (October-April), Saturday 11am - 5pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm (all year)

Free guided tours at 3pm and 4pm on Sundays and 1pm on Wednesdays

Facilities include restaurant, giftshop, wheekchair accessible, roofgarden.