According to the Irish Times, more than one million people travel from all over the world each year to see a book in a library at Trinity College Dublin. So important is the tome Trinity has created an entire “immersive experience” on its grounds, enveloping visitors to the library in a light and sound show featuring images from the book. What are the secrets that entice so many to travel so far to see an old book written 1200 years ago? Who is the author, and what story does this ponderous antiquarian volume tell? Experience the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells, also known as the Book of Columba, is one of the most interesting artifacts of medieval Europe. Scholars believe the book represents the pinnacle of Insular art—the art of the British Isles in the early Middle Ages. This illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, contains the four Gospels of the New Testament derived from the Vulgate, a late 4th century Latin translation of the Bible.
Researchers believe the Book of Kells originated within a monastery on the Scottish island of Iona. There the combined efforts of artists and scribes created the manuscript. Fleeing the Viking invasion of Iona, the surviving monks found solace at a sister monastery located in Kells, Co. Meath. Some scholars suggest that it's in this location that the Book of Kells received its final touches.
Left: A page from the Book of Kells representing the four Evangelists: the Angel for Saint Matthew, the Lion for Saint Mark, the Ox for Saint Luke, and the Eagle for Saint John. Digital Collections, The Library of Trinity College Dublin: Book of Kells. IE TCD MS 58 Fol. 32v. digitalcollections.tcd.ie. Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. Retrieved on 19 February 2024. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.
The Book of Kells is made from high-quality vellum (calfskin). It measures approximately 13 by 10 inches. Despite its age, the manuscript has survived in remarkably good condition, though it is not entirely intact. Some pages are missing, believed to have been lost over the centuries.
The Book of Kells was stolen in the 11th century, taken from the Abbey of Kells, and when it was eventually found, its gold cover was gone, presumably stolen for its precious metal. Remarkably, the manuscript itself was recovered, albeit without its ornate cover.
The Book of Kells stayed in Kells until the 1653 invasions of Ireland by British Cromwellian forces. The Bishop of Meath gave the Book of Kells into the custody of Trinity College Dublin for safekeeping. The University's library has sustained the manuscript ever since. Now, the 1,200-year-old artifact is showcased within Trinity's Old Library's antiquated walls, preserved and protected year-round by a dedicated team of conservators.
Right, a page from the Book of Kells. Digital Collections, The Library of Trinity College Dublin: Book of Kells. IE TCD MS 58 Fol. 32v. digitalcollections.tcd.ie. Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. Retrieved on 19 February 2024. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.
What sets the Book of Kells apart from other Insular Gospel books is its extraordinary ornamentation and complexity. The manuscript is decorated by lavish and intricate full-page illustrations, elaborate initial letters, and detailed marginalia. The use of vibrant colors, intricate Celtic knotwork, interlacing patterns, and a rich blend of Christian symbolism with traditional Celtic motifs bridges the pagan and Christian traditions of Ireland.
Left, a page from the Book of Kells. The enthronement of Christ. Digital Collections, The Library of Trinity College Dublin: Book of Kells. IE TCD MS 58 Fol. 32v. digitalcollections.tcd.ie. Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. Retrieved on 19 February 2024. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.
The manuscript contains numerous full-page illustrations, including representations of the Virgin Mary, Christ, and the four Evangelists, as well as intricate text pages that are artworks in themselves. The beginning of each Gospel is marked by an elaborate incipit page, densely decorated and elaborately detailed, which often incorporates animal and human figures into the intricate designs.
Right, an ornate page from the Book of Kells. Digital Collections, The Library of Trinity College Dublin: Book of Kells. IE TCD MS 58 Fol. 32v. digitalcollections.tcd.ie. Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. Retrieved on 19 February 2024. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.
Today, the manuscript is displayed in a climate-controlled case, with specially designed pages shown on a rotating basis—one displaying a typical text page and the other an illustration. Photography of the Book of Kells by visitors is not permitted to protect the manuscript from light damage. However, Trinity College Dublin has facilitated access to the book through digital images, allowing a global audience to appreciate its beauty and intricacy. https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/concern/works/hm50tr726?locale=en
Like we needed yet another great reason to travel to Ireland this year.