The Book of Kells: Exploring an Irish Medieval Masterpiece

Explore the history of Ireland using the remarkable Book of Kells

The Book of Kells manuscript, housed at Trinity College Dublin is world famous - it attracts almost one million visitors a year. But what can this book tell us about Irish history? And what significance is the manuscript in today’s world?

On this course you will use the Book of Kells as a window through which to explore the landscape, history, faith, theology, and politics of early medieval Ireland. You will also consider how the manuscript was made, its extended biography and how it has affected different areas of the contemporary world.

The course is for anyone with an interest in Ireland, medieval studies, history, art, religion and/or popular culture.

• Meeting the Book of Kells
• Welcome to our course!
• Introducing the Book of Kells
• Social and religious context
• Reflecting on the first week
• Making the Book of Kells
• Manpower
• Materials
• Reflecting on the second week
• The Meaning of the Book of Kells
• Decorating gospel books in the early medieval period
• Common themes in the art of the Book of Kells
• Narrative images
• Reflecting on the third week
• The Book of Kells and Modern Life
• Displaying the Book of Kells
• The Book of Kells, from nationalist symbol to artists’ muse
• Reflecting on the final week