‘We want our Book of Kells back from Trinity College’

there are some truly valuable ideas proffered in this series of comments. (they are NOT conveyed by the childish snobs arguing to one-up each other.) But my first and only visit to Trinity and "the book..." was in March 2010 and was a disappointment. Was glad and impressed to see the real deal, but only a page or two. And not very well. Conservation considerations require relatively low lighting. And the large backlighted vertical reproductions were weak as well. The political skirmishing over the display site is not inconsequential either. But a worthy presentation site in Kells has undeniable authenticity and impact. Monks' writing desks etc. would be brilliant. So would a number of modern high tech interpretive technologies that are in use today, coming substantially from the fertile minds and fat accounts of the Disney franchise. The new Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield Illinois is a positively stunning example.

"The Book of Kells" belongs as much to Scotland as it does to Ireland. According to research, it was written around the year 800 AD, probably in the monastery of Iona, off the Scottish coast. This monastery was founded by the Irish Saint Columba. The Columban monks also had a monastery at Kells in County Meath. Iona was under regular threat of attack by Viking raiders, and at some point in the 9th Century the book was sent over to Ireland for safekeeping. Meath County Council have proved themselves incapable of heritage safekeeping- in particular they presided over destruction of 40 heritage sites during construction of the M3 motorway through the Tara Complex. Who would trust this precious book to that county?

By the way Georgy.It's Sir Peter.

This year would probably be a good time to view it, as tourism is down.

Georgy Boy.You have more comprehension problems I see.Never said it should be in Kells.You think you are so literate ha ha ha.Try reading my first post again dopey.First line

@JohnKinMD, I had the same experience viewing the Book of Kells in Sept. a few yrs. ago as you did. I guess we're some of the lucky ones, and yes, that WAS great for us.

sirpeter, as much a poltroon as ever. If the Book of Kells doesn't belong inside the Pale (capital P, by the way) why should it be in Kells, which was inside the Pale? It's just impossible to follow your half-witted "logic"--you always seem to be drunk when you post.

JohnKin: Well wasn't that great for you.

I saw The Book of Kells this past May, and GeorgeDillon,I was not rushed, waited my turn to get up to the book and viewed it at my pace.

There's an American University (St. John's in MInnesota) producing a hand done illustrated parchment bible. It's taking time but the monastery has plenty of that.

@eiriamach. ;))

LOL! You're the history expert, sirpeter, by acclamation.

Georgy Boy.The book was written by monks around 800 AD.There was NO pale then Georgy Boy.That's why I said it didn't belong inside the pale.The pale been West Brit even to this day.What part confused you Georgy?

Searlit, if someone else would skin the sheep and make the vellum, I'd be happy to put some calligraphy and simple illustrations on it. Ireland has more medieval manuscripts besides the Book of Kells. Those I've seen vary in amount of illumination, with the Book of Kells the most ornate. There are facsimiles to work from. Bottom line: Like many others, I could copy from a facsimile, no creativity involved, just some experience with pens and brushes and gold leaf, I think. I'd really like to see a replica of a medieval monastery library, complete with drawing tables and tools. I've seen many ruins of monasteries, and a 19th century monastery library (beautiful!) but nothing much older. When I saw the Book of Kells in Trinity, no one rushed me through. The pity is that you'd have to return every day for I don't know how many years to see all the pages if they show one new page every day!

All four volumes should be on display. Spread them around the country to encourage tourism and travel. Care for them as Trinity does. Kells, Armagh, and Clonmacnoise might be good venues to consider.