book of kells

     

The Book of Kells (Irish: Leabhar Cheanannais) (Dublin, Trinity College Library, MS A. I. (58), sometimes known as the Book of Columba) is an illuminate manuscript that is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure. Transcribed by Celtic monks ca. 800, it contains the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin, together with various prefatory texts and tables. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina.

Trivia about book of kells

  • This 8th century illuminated copy of the Gospels is named for a monastery in county Meath
  • Now in Ireland, the page seen here is from this work, dating from the first millennium A.D.
  • Produced in Ireland between the mid-700s & the early 800s, it's an illuminated manuscript of the 4 gospels in Latin
  • Henry Jones, M.A. 1624, made quite an alumni gift to Ireland's Trinity College--this illuminated manuscript