The Book of Kells, Dublin

The Book of Kells is a beautifully hand-illuminated manuscript, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament as well as various prefatory texts and tables bound in four volumes. It was created by Celtic monks circa 800 or slightly earlier. The book is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure.

The book had a sacramental, rather than educational purpose. A large, lavish Gospel, such as the Book of Kells, would have been left on the high altar of the church and taken off only for the reading of the Gospel during Mass.

The manuscript takes its name from the Abbey of Kells in County Meath that was its home for centuries. Today, it is on permanent display at the Trinity College Library, Dublin.

Opening Times

Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday 09:30 - 17:00
Sunday (May - September) 09:30 - 16:30
Sunday (October - April) 12:00 - 16:30

Public Holiday Arrangements 2011
St Patrick’s Day - Thursday 17 March - open 12:00 - 16:30
Good Friday - Friday 22 April - open 12:00 - 16:30
Easter Monday - Monday 25 April - open 12:00 - 16:30
May Holiday - Monday 2 May - open 09:30 - 17:00
June Holiday - Monday 6 June - open 09:30 - 17:00
August Holiday - Monday 1 August - open 09:30 - 17:00
October Holiday - Monday 31 October - open 12:00 - 16:30

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Ticket Prices

Adults: €9
Students/Senior Citizens: €8
Family Ticket: €18 (2 adults and 4 children)
Group Rate: €6.50 per person for groups of 10 or more
School Groups (18 years old and under) accompanied by teachers: free admission from 1 October to 1 April
Children (under 12): free all the year around

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Telephone: 00 353 (0) 1 8962320
Email: bookofkells@tcd.ie

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