DUBLIN.- The Book of Kells is widely recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful decorated manuscripts and a masterpiece of European medieval art, with images that are staggering in their richness, intricacy and inventiveness. This handsome new volume, by Bernard Meehan, Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Library, brims with fresh insights and interpretations and features the extraordinary imagery on a generous scale. The publication also marks the tercentenary of Trinity College Library, Dublin, one of great historic libraries of the world.

The Book of Kells dates from around 800 AD and contains a Latin text of the four Gospels. There is great uncertainty about its origins. It is thought that the Book of Kells was first worked on at the monastery on the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland, and was continued, after Viking raids, at the monastery of Kells in Ireland. The Book remained in Kells until the mid-1600s, and in 1661 was presented to Trinity College, Dublin, where it has remained ever since on permanent display, revered as Ireland’s national treasure, and seen every year by half a million visitors from all over the world.

This new publication, presented in a cloth-bound slipcase, features 84 full-size reproductions of complete pages of the manuscript, while enlarged details allow one to relish the intricacy of elements barely visible to the naked eye. Meehan explores the Book of Kells through its historical background; the spectacular openings of the texts that precede the Gospels; a study of earlier and comparable manuscripts; detailed examination of symbols, themes and narratives, a look at the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and a consideration of technical aspects, illuminated by recent scientific research.

This extraordinary and beautiful book will undoubtedly be a revelation even to those familiar with the celebrated Book of Kells.

Bernard Meehan is Head of Research Collections and Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Library, Dublin. His curatorial responsibilities include the college’s distinguished corpus of medieval manuscripts (including the Book of Durrow), pre-medieval manuscripts, collections of Irish historical and literary papers, and the early printed books housed in the iconic Long Room of the Old Library.