Da Vinci Code fans: 'Stay away'

Codex Leicester details Leonardo's scientific observations

Da Vinci Code fans are being urged to stay away from a major exhibition opening in Dublin.

The Codex Leicester notebook, written by Leonardo Da Vinci, is set to go on display at the city's Chester Beatty library.

The 36-page scientific document contains more than 300 drawings, sketches and diagrams.

It is owned by the world's richest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Chester Beatty director Dr Michael Ryan insisted the 2003 book - The Da Vinci Code - by Dan Brown had nothing to do with the manuscript going on display.

"It may very well attract fans of the Da Vinci Code, but I'm not a fan," he said.

"All that rubbish about da Vinci being a mystical figure is rubbish - he was a very rational individual."

Strengthening bridges

The exhibition will be opened by Irish President Mary McAleese later on Tuesday.

It will be housed in climate-controlled cases for two months and will have tight security around it.

Dr Ryan added: "People think only somebody naked and in flip-flops will get through the airport-style security, but that is a feature of all museums now."

The Codex Leicester details Leonardo's scientific observations from 1508 to 1509. It includes practical inventions, such as designs for strengthening bridges and for flood control.

It was acquired by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester in 1717. Mr Gates paid $31m for it at auction in 1994.