One of the great masterpieces in the history of irish art, and a worldfamous example of early christian art, the book of kells leabhar cheanannais is the most famous of the illuminated manuscripts, produced by irish monks about 800 ce. The book of kells is one of the most beautiful, intricate and ornate documents in existence. The book of kells has been dated back to somewhere around 800 ad, and was made in either iona or kells in county meath, right in the center of ireland. The images in the book of kells and other illuminated. The date and place of origin of the book of kells have attracted a great deal of scholarly. The text of the gospels is largely drawn from the vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the ear.
It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had contributions from various columban institutions from both britain and ireland. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. It originated twelve hundred years ago, most likely in iona, a small. An illustrated introduction to the manuscript in trinity college, dublin by bernard meehan. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. From early frescoes, to illuminated manuscripts, magnificent churches and abbeys. An exemplar for calligraphers as well as beautiful early christian art in its own right. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. The book is believed to have been brought to kells following a viking. The book gets its name from the monastery of kells, county meath, ireland. A digitised version of the entire manuscript may also be seen online. It originated twelve hundred years ago, most likely in iona, a small island between scotland and ireland, and was soon moved to the town of kells in ireland. What this means is that the illustrations of a book, often a bible or the gospels, are decorated with gold or silver leaf in addition to vibrant.
The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and. A history of the book of kells in 1 minute culture trip. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record.
The book of kells will take us to one of the most visited touristic attractions in dublin, ireland, which is trinity college library where the book if kells is placed and which is considered the. The book of kells has been dated back to somewhere around 800 ad, and was made in either iona or kells in county. The book is presumed to have been written during the 9th century in ireland and preserved for centuries at kells. While the book takes its name from abbey of kells in county meath, its place of origin is generally attributed to the scriptorium of the monastery founded around 561 by st colum cille on iona, an. New research is rewriting the history of the worlds most famous early medieval manuscript a lavishly illustrated 1,200yearold copy of the gospels known today as the book of kells.
History of worlds most famous medieval manuscript rewritten after dramatic new research. The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. Many historians believe that it was started off in iona and later taken to kells for safekeeping, where it remained for several centuries. A history of the book of kells in 1 minute the abbey of kells. The illustrations and ornamentation of the book of kells surpass that of other insular gospels in. Saint columba one of irelands three chief saints founded the abbey. Monks produced illuminated manuscripts between the 5th and th centuries ce.