Oct 28, 2016 how to get to the book of kells exhibit. Book online so you dont have to wait for tickets and try to get there early before the crowds. This guide book provides a good introduction into the original book of kells held in trinity collage ireland. Trinity college dublin has closed off the book of kells exhibition as well as other tourist attractions in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. I wanted to find out more because the book of kells is referred to in celtic jewellery and in celtic embroidery and artwork. The best way to get to the book of kells exhibition is to take public transportation. One of irelands major cultural and artistic treasures, the book of kells and the old library exhibition counts among the oldest texts in the world, dated to the 9th century. They were created using the original techniques, and were also presented in the diocesan museum of trier. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables it was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. Bear in mind that when we visited the actual book of kells was not on display, but an artistic copy was instead. The book is located in the old library, in trinity college, dublin ireland.
It was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. The book was created sometime around the year 800 but scholars have been unable to determine where. May 31, 2017 the eusebian canon tables show which sections of the gospels are common to all four accounts, which stories feature only in three or two gospels and which are distinctive to each gospel narrative. Ill be heading to dublin for a long weekend and found that the book of kells is currently off display while the library is being renovated. Irelands priceless book of kells has been damaged while being taken to australia, it emerged yesterday. Nov 08, 2018 the book of kells is the illuminated manuscript probably created c. Mario kleff reproduced folios from the book of kells and together with faksimileverlag publisher urs duggelin, curated an exhibition of the book of kells which included these facsimile pages. Attracting more than 500,000 visitors a year, youll definitely want to schedule some time to stop by the exhibition. The book of kells is one of the worlds most famous and beautiful manuscripts of the four gospels of the new testament written in latin. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Apr 15, 2000 irelands priceless book of kells has been damaged while being taken to australia, it emerged yesterday. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a. According to a college spokeswoman, visitor income from the book of kells last year.
The book was found in the abbey of kells, hence its name the book of kells. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition college street, dublin 2 the 18th century old library at trinity features the 9th c. Sep 26, 2018 on our recent trip to dublin, we visited trinity college dublin to see the book of kells exhibition. Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels. A spokeswoman for trinity said the book of kells exhibition would remain open despite the book being shelved. Written over years ago, it contains lavishly hand decorated copy, in latin, of the four gospels. Home to irelands largest collection of books and manuscripts, the old librarys principal treasure is the book of kells, generally considered to be the most striking manuscript ever produced in. The book of kells dublin must see the spencer hotel dublin. Stay at trinity college dublin in the heart of dublin and explore all that tcd has to offer including the book of kells exhibition, trinity gift shop and more.
Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. This illuminated manuscript contains the four gospels of the bibles new testament and other sacred texts, written in latin. It has been on display in the old library at trinity college from the mid19th century. Nov 05, 2015 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. The book of kells is the important part of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college in dublin each year.
This beautiful slipcased book has fullsized photographs in color of every page in the original book of kells, plus interesting and explanative text, and lots of closeups of the fantastic interlace designs. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition heritage. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. Trinity closes off book of kells and other tourist spots. You can take the dart to either pearse street, tara street or connolly stations, which are all a short walk away. Please note the exhibition is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid. The book of kells folio 33r features a double armed cross with 8 circles, referring to the 8 days of christs passion. The canon tables can be found in insular gospel books including the book of kells, where they precede the text of the gospels. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables.
Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the. Experience the book of kells and old library exhibition. Apr 26, 2016 the book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. Turning darkness into light is an exhibition introducing the book of kells and other manuscripts. Nov 17, 2019 the book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. The exhibition and gift shop are open seven days a week. Book of kells exhibition and two dublin cathedrals james. After having remained in kells until 1654, the book was moved to trinity college dublin in 1661. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19.
The book of kells was kept at the abbey even after it was dissolved in the 12th century and turned into a parish church until oliver cromwells army were stationed in kells in 1654. The book of kells has uncertain origins but it is thought to have been written around 800 ce by monks from iona, an island off the west coast of scotland and kells, a town in ireland. This manuscript is the finest example of insular art in existence. The monks fled iona after a viking attack and settled in kells. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. The volume suffered what has been called minor pigment damage. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables. A volume of the 9th century manuscript is the centrepiece of an exhibition in the national. The college has also announced that all lectures are to take place online for the rest of the semester april 10. 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. This decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community. From 1pm on tuesday, march 10, trinity closed off the book of kells exhibition and old library, the science gallery and the douglas. You enter a room with large poster size copies of the book of kells and videos explaining more about it. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds.
Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. The book of kells, housed at trinity college in dublin, ireland merges art, history, religion, and literature, making the exhibit a mustsee for anyone visiting dublin. The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. This was only the fourth time the book of kells had been sent abroad for exhibition. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college in dublin each year jeff pioquintoflickr. It was created in a columban monastery in ireland, c. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book. The first time i saw an illustration from the book of kells, in an art history class, i fell in love. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. It was created by celtic monks some time around 800 ad. Even without the real deal this is a must for history lovers. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the.
The book of kells exhibit is located on the campus of trinity college in the heart of dublin. The book of kells, the book of kells exhibition, trinity. The exhibition also features access to the long room, one of the worlds most beautiful libraries that houses 200,000 of trinity colleges oldest books. The book of kells exhibit is perfect for history buffs. The old library and the book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Book of kells removed from public display through march.
Apr 21, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The old library book of kells exhibition dublin visitor centre. 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 old latin translation. Visitor attractions include the old library and the book of kells exhibition, gift shop, science gallery, zoological museum and cafes. And it is definitely one of my top 10 recommended sights to see in ireland. The book of kells in trinity is considered one of irelands greatest national treasures. It is irelands most precious medieval artifact and is generally considered the finest surviving illuminated manuscript to have been produced in medieval europe.
The book of kells will be removed from public display until march to accommodate for conservation works at trinity colleges old library in dublin. The book of kells and old library exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The book of kells book of kells exhibition facebook. Book of kells simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It can be seen by the public during scheduled tour times. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Take your time here because when you walk into next room with the actual book. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. The book was then sent to dublin for safekeeping and later presented to trinity college in 1661, where it has remained ever since. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent old library building was constructed and which displays the book of kells. Some think of the book as some boring old medieval manuscript.