The Chester Beatty Library, one of Ireland's National Cultural Institutions, was created by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty and bequeathed by him to a trust for the benefit of the public. The Library is both an art museum and library, housing an outstanding collection of Islamic manuscripts, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and other Oriental art. Early papyri, including some of the earliest texts of the Bible and other early Christian manuscripts, western prints and printed books complete what is one of the richest collections of its kind in the world. The CBL Reference Library contains 8,000 volumes relating to the collection. Admission is currently by appointment. For further information please contact the Reference Librarian. The Chester Beatty Library is a public charitable trust. The library won Ireland's Museum of the Year in 2000 and the European Museum of the Year in 2002. The museum shop The Online Catalogue The image gallery