 20:19, Saturday, July 5, 2008 (in Ireland)
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Kells, Co MeathKells was once one of the great centres of Celtic Christianity, its was here that the famous Book of Kells may have been written and illustrated. The exact history of the book is shrouded in the mists of time and historians can only loosely piece together the book's history based on scraps of evidence and vague clues. It is believed that in 563 AD, St. Colmcille (St Columba) founded a monastery on the Hebridean island on Iona. When it was plundered in 802 by Viking raiders some of the monks fled to Kells, bringing with them their precious treasure, The Book of Kells. The book depicts the four Gospels, richly illustrated in Celtic imagery on vellum (calf skin) parchment. The book was probably completed in the monastery at Kells, and is now kept in Trinity College. Reproductions of the book can be seen in the Kells town hall and in the Protestant church. AS for the monastery itself, little remains, the churches which once stood there have long since crumbled however a house and Round Tower can still be seen aswell as three ornate 9th century High Crosses. One of the crosses is interesting grooved near the base where it is said that English soldiers sharpened their swords.
Kells MapReturn to Towns and Areas of Meath | |||||||||
