The Book of Kells : a timeline
800 AD : It is estimated that the Book of Kells (BOK) was created around approximately 800 AD (Farr, 1997 ; Meehan, 1994). The length of time that was required to create the illuminated manuscript is not known.
807 AD : The manuscript was transferred from Iona to Kells for safekeeping, in light of incessant Viking raids upon the island communities off the coast of Ireland and Britain (Meehan, 1994).
1007 AD : In the year 1007, it was reported by the Annals of Ulster that the BOK was stolen from the monastery at Kells and was missing for "two months and twenty days", before being found in a bog (Brown, 1980; Meehan, 1994 ;Sullivan, 1988). On finding the manuscript, it was discovered that the cover and back pages were missing, along with some of the front pages.
1539 AD :The manuscript was taken from Kells as part of the dissolution of the monasteries (1536 - 1541) by Henry VIII. As part of this process, the manuscript was ceded to the Crown by the last Abbot of Kells, Richard Plunkett in 1539 (Sullivan, 1988). Following on from this, Gerald Plunket of Dublin found himself in possession of the BOK. (Sullivan, 1988). As to whether he was of any relation to the last Abbot of Kells is unknown. This individual infamously inscribed notes onto the pages of the BOK (this is looked at in the 'Marginalia and additions to the Book' section of this website and can be accessed by clicking on the link.).
1661 : In 1661, the book found its way to Trinity College Dublin, as part of the a collection donated by Bishop Ussher.
Mid 19th Century: The BOK began to be slowly displayed to the public and remains on display in the Long Room Library to this day.
807 AD : The manuscript was transferred from Iona to Kells for safekeeping, in light of incessant Viking raids upon the island communities off the coast of Ireland and Britain (Meehan, 1994).
1007 AD : In the year 1007, it was reported by the Annals of Ulster that the BOK was stolen from the monastery at Kells and was missing for "two months and twenty days", before being found in a bog (Brown, 1980; Meehan, 1994 ;Sullivan, 1988). On finding the manuscript, it was discovered that the cover and back pages were missing, along with some of the front pages.
1539 AD :The manuscript was taken from Kells as part of the dissolution of the monasteries (1536 - 1541) by Henry VIII. As part of this process, the manuscript was ceded to the Crown by the last Abbot of Kells, Richard Plunkett in 1539 (Sullivan, 1988). Following on from this, Gerald Plunket of Dublin found himself in possession of the BOK. (Sullivan, 1988). As to whether he was of any relation to the last Abbot of Kells is unknown. This individual infamously inscribed notes onto the pages of the BOK (this is looked at in the 'Marginalia and additions to the Book' section of this website and can be accessed by clicking on the link.).
1661 : In 1661, the book found its way to Trinity College Dublin, as part of the a collection donated by Bishop Ussher.
Mid 19th Century: The BOK began to be slowly displayed to the public and remains on display in the Long Room Library to this day.