The Wonder of the Book of Kells

Admiring Medieval Ireland's most famous work of art, the Book of Kells, is perhaps one of the more beautiful ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

The Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library is welcoming the Book of Kells —famous for its ornate, intricate details created by monks— in a special event on Saturday.

Now, it’s not the real Book of Kells; the original Book of Kells, the justly-famous masterpiece of illuminated manuscripts created by Irish monks sometime around the turn of the 9th Century, is safely ensconced in a temperature- and humidity-controlled display case at Trinity College in Dublin. The book that will be on display on Saturday is no less impressive.

“It’s a fine-art replica,” said Dick Noble, Vice President of the Irish-American Cultural Society of South Jersey, who will be conducting Saturday’s program. “There are only about 1,500 in the world. This book is an exact replica of the Book of Kells. Where there are holes in the vellum in Dublin, they are exactly reproduced in this book.”

One of the greatest differences between the books is “with the original you’re only allowed to look at the book through the case. With this one, people can really examine it up close.”The Book of Kells — also known as the Book of Columba after St. Columba, an early Irish missionary­­—is widely considered to be one of, if not the, most beautiful books in history with its richly illustrated pages painstakingly produced by diligent monks working over centuries.

The illuminations combine figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, along with Celtic knots and scrolls, in interlacing patterns of vibrant colors, enlivening the manuscript's pages. The work is considered by some to be Ireland’s finest national treasure. The book contains the four Gospels of the New Testament written in Latin along with some preliminary texts and tables.

Noble’s presentation will describe some of the book’s history and origin. Noble explained that there are a number of competing theories as to the book’s creation.

“One theory is that the monks worked in a scriptorium on an island that is now part of Scotland, Iona, but at that time was part of Ireland. The book was to be completed in time for the 200thanniversary of St. Columba’s death. They didn’t get it finished but by 802, yet another Viking raid forced the monks to move the manuscript. There were no threats in Kells,” which is about 40 miles from Dublin, in County Meath.

Noble said that the manuscript suffered additional indignities over the centuries, having been stolen, ripped from its gilded and bejeweled cover and discarded in the mud, where it lay “for a few weeks shy of three months. It lost some pages front and back,” he said.

A large portion of the Gospel of John is missing, presumably lost during this period. The book was donated to Trinity College in the mid-17th century. During the ensuing centuries, the original has been separated into folios and rebound into four volumes, allowing for more effective display and preservation.

Noble said the quality of the replica along with the relative rarity makes for a unique opportunity to experience a fine example of Irish culture.

 “I’m grateful to John Sweeney and the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade for allowing me the opportunity to bring this book around for display,” he said.

The Book of Kells presentation will be at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. Call 732-349-6200 to make reservations.