The Book of Kells: 9th Century Masterpiece in Dublin

The Book of Kells (Leabhar Cheanannais) is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book created c. 800 CE (late 8th–early 9th century) by Columban monks, likely on Iona (Scotland) and completed at Kells (County Meath, Ireland) after Viking raids.

What It Is

• Latin Vulgate Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) + prefatory texts, canon tables.
• 340 folios (680 pages), calfskin vellum, 240 × 170 mm.
• Insular majuscule script, exquisite illumination: full-page miniatures, carpet pages, decorated initials, interlace, zoomorphic knots, pigment brilliance (lapis lazuli, orpiment, indigo, copper green).

History

• c. 800: Created at Iona/Kells.
• 1007: Stolen (gold cover ripped off), recovered minus cover.
• 1654: Sent to Dublin for safety (Cromwell).
• 1661: Gifted to Trinity College Dublin by Bishop Henry Jones.
• Since 19th c.: On display in Old Library (Long Room).

Significance

• Pinnacle of Insular art (Hiberno-Saxon).
• Symbol of Irish cultural identity.
• UNESCO Memory of the World Register (2011).
• 500K+ visitors/year at TCD.

Visiting

Trinity College Dublin, Old Library. Timed tickets (book online). 2–4 pages shown at a time (conservation rotation). Digital: TCD Digital Collections (full high-res).

The "Kells, Co. Antrim" in your question is a confusion: Kells is in County Meath (Republic of Ireland). There is a Kells in Co. Antrim (Northern Ireland), but the Book is from Meath.