Discover the Book of Kells: Ireland’s Medieval Masterpiece

The Book of Kells is written in Latin text and the Book of Kells is written primarily in Latin and is named after the town of Kells in County Meath, Ireland.

But you will be surprised to know that its origin is from Scotland!  St. Colum Cille, also known as St. Columba, played a significant role in its origins. He founded a monastery on the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland in 563 CE. It was in this monastery that the early stages of the Book of Kells were likely completed.

It came to Ireland during the Viking raids. As Viking raids intensified towards the end of the 8th century and into the 9th century, the monastery at Iona, along with many other monastic communities in the region, faced significant threats and disruptions.

When the monks migrated to Ireland’s mainland they brought the book with them.

During the invasion of Oliver Cromwell, the Book of Kells was sent to Dublin to prevent any damage. While there isn’t a specific record of the Book of Kells being sent to Dublin during Cromwell’s invasion, it’s plausible that such precautions were taken to protect it from potential damage or looting.

Later on in 1661, Bishop Henry Jones, who was the Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath, donated the manuscript to Trinity College., where it’s still on display.

Despite being so old, the book is well-preserved, and only a few pages are missing.

The interesting fact is, that the Book of Kells is not a reading book but rather a beautiful piece of art.

The sad part is, Due to its delicate nature and the need to preserve it for future generations, the book is typically displayed under controlled conditions, and with restricted viewing times, you have a very short amount of time to enjoy this part of the

The controlled environment of the Book of Kells display area, often referred to as the “dark room” due to its dim lighting conditions to preserve the manuscript, typically prohibits photography to safeguard the delicate pages of the book. Taking pictures in the museum and Old Library is permitted.

The Book of Kells is not the only reason to visit this museum though. If you are a book lover, then The Old Library can also give you goosebumps! The architectural design will give you a Hogwarts library vibe for sure! This is also known as the “Long Room” Housing over 200,000 books, including rare manuscripts, historical documents, and literary treasures, the Old Library is a paradise for those who appreciate the written word and the rich history of literature.