Book of Kells
Illuminated Gospel Manuscript Written by Irish Monks on Iona, now at Trinity College Dublin.
Visual Arts Guide

Book of Kells

One of the great masterpieces in the History of Irish art, the Book of Kells (Leabhar Cheanannais) is the most famous of the illuminated manuscripts, produced by Irish monks about 800 CE. Also known as the Book of Columba, or the Gospel of Colum Cille, the Book of Kells includes the four Gospels of the New Testament written in Latin, decorated with innumerable illuminations, illustrations and miniature images in a blaze of colour. Although unfinished, it is one of the best surviving examples of the Hiberno-Saxon style or Insular art, and is on permanent display at the Trinity College Dublin Library in Ireland.

The name "Book of Kells" comes from the Abbey of Kells in County Meath, Ireland, where it was preserved during medieval times. When was the Book of Kells written, where was it written, and who was the author of the manuscript? These questions remain the subject of considerable debate among scholars of monastic Irish art, and there are a number of theories. According to tradition, the book was believed to have been written and illuminated during the time of Saint Columba (Saint Columcille), perhaps even by Columba himself. However, palaeographic research shows that the style of Latin script used did not emerge until well after Columba's death. In response, some Irish art experts consider it may have been created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Saint Columba's death (597 CE).

According to the most widely accepted theory, the Book of Kells was created at the monastery in Iona, one of the Scottish Hebrides islands. It was written by at least three different scribes, whose names are lost to history. Iona (from where Saint Columba launched his mission to Christianize Scotland and where he was later buried), was a traditional centre of holy learning and illumination. Unfortunately, Vikings frequently raided the island, burned the monastery and killed the monks. For this reason, the relics of Saint Columba were removed to Kells on the Irish mainland and so, it is believed, was the Book of Kells. One reason for this belief is that several elements used in the illumination of the manuscript show strong resemblances to Pictish/Scottish artwork. Unfortunately, even this preventative measure failed to secure the book's safety. In 1007, it was seized by Vikings who plundered its jewelled cover. It was later unearthed in a ditch, miraculously intact with only a few sections missing.

Other theories suggest it may have been produced at Lindisfarne (Holy Island) an ecclesiastical centre off the coast of Northumberland, then removed to Iona and thence to Kells. Or lastly, it may have been created at an unidentified Scottish monastery.

The Book of Kells is one of a number of manuscript artworks created by religious Irish artists in monastries in Ireland, Scotland and England. These illustrated texts comprise the foremost examples of early Christian art. Other manuscripts include: the Cathach of Colmcille (560 CE), Book of Dimma (c.620 CE), Durham Gospels (650 CE), Book of Durrow (670 CE), Book of Lindisfarne (700 CE), Codex Amiatinus (715 CE), Echternach Gospels (715 CE), Vespasian Psalter (c.730 CE), Codex Aureus (c.750 CE) Book of Lichfield (785 CE), St. Gall Gospels (late 8th century), Mulling Gospels (790 CE), Book of Armagh (807 CE), Book of MacRegol (810 CE), Book of Deer (early 9th century), Book of MacDurnan (910 CE). Religious scholars group illuminated manuscripts according to similarities in artistic style, script, and textual tradition. The fully developed style of decoration in the Book of Kells dates it either to the late eighth or early ninth century, because it adheres to many of the iconographic and textual traditions observed in these manuscripts. For instance, the style of the decorated letters in the incipit pages for the Gospels is quite consistent in Insular Gospels.

• For more about the history of Irish culture, see: Visual Arts in Ireland.
• For information about the cultural history of Ireland, see: Irish Art and Culture.

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