The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, visited Trinity College on Tuesday 2nd December 2025. During her visit she viewed the Book of Kells and Long Room exhibits and gifted a set of Ukrainian books to the library collection. Trinity has many academic links with Ukraine, including an Erasmus+ partnership with Zaporizhzhia National University initiated by Dr. Ema Vyroubalova from the School of English.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska (above, centre), was welcomed to Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
The First Lady was greeted by the Provost Dr Linda Doyle (above left) and visited the Book of Kells Exhibition as well as the famous Long Room in the Old Library, where she viewed a rare copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic and the Brian Boru harp, the oldest of its kind in Ireland.
During the visit Olena Zelenska was introduced to the Vice-Provost/CAO, Professor Orla Sheils, and was escorted by Anne Marie Diffley, Visitor Services Manager and Jessie Kurtz, Deputy Librarian and Head of Readers' Services.
The First Lady gifted a collection of Ukrainian books to the University’s collection.
To mark the historic visit, Dr Linda Doyle presented the First Lady with a gift edition of Ireland’s most famous manuscript, the Book of Kells.
Olena Zelenska also signed the Visitors' Book, accompanied by Mary Martin, the wife of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD (pictured above on right).
Read more here.