A couple of words about the Book of Kells. It was written around the year 800 AD, although it may have taken as long as 100 years to complete, and is considered to be one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world. Until recently it was almost singularly responsible for the reputation of Celtic art. It is written on vellum and contains a Latin in script accompanied by amazing decorations. It is named after Kells Abbey in Central Ireland but was almost certainly started at the Abbey in Iona, Scotland. Some of the Knotwork and Scrollwork on the pages can only be seen with a X10 magnifying glass, which was not invented until 4 centuries AFTER the book was completed! The manuscript was given to Trinity College in Dublin in the 17th century and is on display in the library there. Two volumes can normally be seen, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script.