GPA Bolton Library

The GPA Bolton Library is a small but remarkable collection of rare books housed in a modest building off Cashel's main street, a few minutes' walk from the Rock. It is one of the oldest and most important cathedral libraries in Ireland, founded in the early 18th century and housing around 12,000 volumes including medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and important early Irish texts.

Opening hours are limited and vary by season — check in advance. The librarians are knowledgeable and welcome visitors with a genuine interest in the collection. This is not a place for a quick look; it rewards an hour of browsed conversation about what's on the shelves. Entry is charged but inexpensive.

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A story
The Bolton Library holds one of the most important collections of early printed books in Ireland — over 12,000 volumes including incunabula (books printed before 1500) and a copy of the earliest printed book in the Irish language. The collection was assembled by Archbishop Theophilus Bolton in the 18th century, and the library was named after him; the GPA prefix comes from a later corporate benefactor, now Accenture. The library's smallest book is a copy of Cicero's letters printed in 1698 — measuring just 7cm tall.