The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Cats in the book of kells the book of kells futurelearn. The book of kells, one of the great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of. Folio 19 contains the beginning of the breves causae of luke. Book of kells digital collections tcd trinity college dublin. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Dating back to ad 800, the illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells is renowned for its extraordinary illustrations and ornamentations. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. The angry people of the town are campaigning for the return of the beautiful 8th century illuminated gospels which bear its. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. The annals of ulster, describing it as the chief treasure of the western world, record that it was stolen in 1006 for its ornamental cumdach shrine. 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. By dublin correspondent kevin connolly rural ireland is a place of monks and mystics where history is not just a thing of the past just ask anyone in kells.
The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record. It is probable that the illumination was begun in the late 8th century at the irish monastery on the scottish island of iona and that after a viking raid the. Introducing the book of kells the book of kells futurelearn. Almost all the folios of the book of kells contain small illuminations like this decorated initial. In this video, rachel moss and fainche ryan will introduce you to the book of kells, summarise the content of the book, and its history. Trinity college library, dublin that is a masterpiece of the ornate hibernosaxon style. It is a beautifully decorated 8th9th century manuscript containing the four gospels of the new testament, relating the life of jesus christ.
The book is believed to have been brought to kells following a viking raid on the monastery on the island of iona, scotland, in 806. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for. Figure 1, folio 48r, from the book of kells, a cat that has fig 1. The book of kells contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier. Its intricate drawings incorporating celtic and christian traditions are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship of the medieval irish monks believed to have. Book of kells irish cultural center and mcclelland library. It remained at kells throughout the middle ages, venerated as the great gospel book of st colum cille, a relic of the saint, as. Book of kells simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice.
388 778 429 870 3 1323 728 961 507 973 246 1076 85 656 356 776 506 1549 893 1190 783 793 299 1578 1534 200 88 1215 430 420 400 805 47 794 507 1422 1330 1488 538 218 973 1418 191 129 459 1278 240 492