Kells Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
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Kells, County Meath
The name Kells derives from Kenlis, an anglicisation of the Irish language word 'Ceann Lios'. Ceann Lios, meaning "head fort" appears to be another form of the name Ceannanus Mór. Kells, Kenlis and Headfort all feature in the titles taken by the Taylor family, and all contribute to local place names. The town lies on the N3 road, and lies 16 km (10 mi) from Navan and 65 km (40 mi) from Dublin. In recent years the town has expanded considerably with many Dublin commuters moving to the town.
The Book of Kells
The Book of Kells (Irish: Leabhar Cheanannais) (Dublin, Trinity College Library, sometimes known as the Book of Columba) is an illuminated 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.
The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass that of other Insular Gospels in extravagance and complexity. The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts together with intricate knotwork and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours enliven the manuscript's pages. Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism and so further emphasize the themes of the major illustrations.
The manuscript today comprises 340 folios and since 1953 has been bound in four volumes. The leaves are on high quality calf vellum, and the unprecedentedly elaborate ornamentation that covers them includes ten full-page illustrations and text pages that are vibrant with historiated initials and interlinear miniatures, and mark the furthest extension of the anti-classical and energetic qualities of Insular art. The Insular majuscule script of the text itself appears to be the work of at least three different scribes. The lettering is in iron-gall ink, and the colors used were derived from a wide range of substances, many of which were imports from distant lands.
The manuscript takes its name from the abbey in Kells that was its home for centuries. Today it is on permanent display at the library of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. The library usually displays two of the current four volumes at a time, one showing a major illustration and the other showing typical text pages.
History
Folio 34r of the Book of Kells contains the Chi Rho monogram. Chi and Rho are the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek.The monastery at Kells is thought to have been first founded around 804 A.D. It was founded by monks fleeing from St Colmcille's Iona monastery, to escape Viking invasions. In 1152, the Synod of Kells completed the transition of the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland from a monastic church to the diocesan church that continues today. While called the Synod of Kells, this important Synod was transferred to Mellifont, Co Louth, and held there in March 1152. Kells was raised to a Diocese by the Synod, but was later reduced to parochial status. At the end of the 12th century Hugh de Lacy was granted the whole of Meath and under the Anglo-Normans the religious establishments at Kells flourished. Kells, as border town of the Pale, was the scene of many battles, between Anglo, Irish and Norman fighters. During Tudor times, it was used as a mustering place for soldiers. From 1561 to 1800 Kells returned two Members of Parliament to the Irish House of Commons. The period of the Irish Potato Famine saw the population of Kells drop by 38% as measured by the census records of 1841 and 1851. The Workhouse and the Fever Hospital were described as full to overflowing.
Places of interest
The Abbey of Kells, with its round tower, is associated with St Columba (also called St Colmcille) and with the Book of Kells, now kept at Trinity College Dublin. The round tower and five large Celtic crosses that can still be viewed today. Four of the crosses are in the churchyard of St Columba's church, the other, a large Celtic cross that was positioned in the middle of a busy crossroads, until an unfortunate accident involving a cumbersome school bus. It now stands in front of a former courthouse (which is now a museum and coffeeshop), and has a roof over it to protect it from the elements (curiously a replica is completely safe from the elements inside the museum). Close by the graveyard of St. Columba's church stands a small stoned roofed Oratory (St. Columcille's House). This probably dates from the 11th century. Access to the monks' sleeping accommodation aloft is by ladder. This small rectangular building is positioned at one of the highest points in the town. The Oratory is kept locked, but visitor access can be arranged.
Just outside the town on the road to Oldcastle, stands the Spire of Lloyd. This interesting towering building is an 18th century folly in the form of a lighthouse erected to the memory of Sir Thomas Taylor, 1st Earl of Bective, by his son. The tower is around 30 m (100 ft) high, and from the top one can see magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and as far as the Mourne mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland on a clear day. The plaque on the tower reads: 'This pillar was designed by Henry Aaron Baker Esq. architect was executed by Mr. Joseph Beck stone cutter Mr. Owen Mc Cabe head mason Mr. Bartle Reilly overseer Anno 1791'. The area around the tower has been developed as a community park (The People's Park), and includes the Paupers' Grave. This cemetery was a necessity in the times of great poverty in the country. Mass is still celebrated there annually and the cemetery is a grim reminder of the Workhouse and the extreme poverty which was engendered by changes in farming practice in the 19th century and also of the Famine.
Population
The population of Kells in April 2002 was 4421 people (according to the 2002 Census of Population). This represented an increase of 879 people over the 1996 Census. This was a 24.8% increase in total population between 1996 and 2002.
Transport
The town is serviced by a regular bus service from Bus Éireann, the bus trip takes about 1.5 hours from Dublin. Meath on Track are seeking reinstatement of the railway link to Navan, and on to Dublin. Kells to Dublin City Centre by train would take approximately 60 minutes depending on stops. Kells railway station opened on 11 July 1853, closed for passenger traffic on 14 April 1958 and finally closed altogether on 1 April 1963.
Tourism Information
The Heritage Centre in Kells is temporarily closed, but Tourism Information will be available as from Monday 22nd March from Kells Town Hall, John Street, Kells, Co Meath.
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