Polls
Book of Kells
The Book of Kells dates back to the 9th century and is an exquisite and lavishly decorated copy of the first four gospels in Latin.
Completed in 800 AD, the Book of Kells is the world's most famous and oldest book. The book is Ireland's most lavish and glorious of Ireland's illuminated manuscripts. The book is an exquisite copy of the first four gospels in Latin. The vellum (calfskin) manuscript contains transcriptions of the four Gospels, lavishly illustrated and ornamented. It is the most elaborate manuscript of its kind to survive from the early Middle Ages.
The Book of Kells contains 680 pages (or 340 folios). Just two of the pages are without ornament, while about thirty folios, including some major decorated pages, have been lost.
The Book is the most famous manuscript in the Library of Trinity College Dublin where it is permanently on display. The Book of Kells is kept in a low-lit gallery with only two pages displayed at a time, although they are turned after some period.
Where the Book of Kells was written?
POLL
Poll 1 - Should the Book of Kells come back home?
The Book of Kells, first mentioned in the Annals of Ulster in 1007 A.D. as being present in Kells, was sent to Dublin for safekeeping during the time that Cromwell took the church of Kells as a garrison for his troops.
In 1953 it was rebound into 4 volumes by Roger Powell, and 2 volumes are in display at Trinity College, and they are rotated every 3 months.
It attracts around 500,000 visitors to Trinity College each year at a cost of €9.00 per adult.
A volume of the book of Kells back in its original home would be a great boost for tourism to Kells, as well as to the surrounding Boyne Valley.
In line with Kells possible change of status to a World Heritage Site, is it time for at least a volume of the Book of Kells to come back home?
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Kells is a delightful small town with one of the very best collections of the sculpture and buildings of the early Christians,
Kells is most famous for its 8th century Book of Kells, which is one of the most beautiful books in the world. A manuscript of the Four Gospels, it was completed in Kells in the monastic site and sent to Trinity College for safekeeping in the 17th century, where it still remains.
The highlights of ancient Kells are clustered in the monastic site, with its round tower and four Celtic crosses in the churchyard.
Across the road is one of the oldest monastic buildings in Ireland, known at St. Colmcille's House. A fifth cross stood close by on a traffic island, but it was removed for safety down the hill to the Heritage Centre, located in the beautifully restored old courthouse, designed by the famous Francis Johnston in 1801.
The Spire of Loyd nearby, which looks like a lighthouse, is worth a visit and gives a wonderful view of the country round about.
The Book of Kells: