The evidence of a Irish history in everywhere in Meath and if you have any interest in the past Kells is the place to be.
Visit www.meathtourism.ie for further details
or Visit www.kells-on-line.com for Kells Heritage Centre
The Book of Kells
The Headfort Arms Hotel has recently aquired a Copy of the Book of Kells which is on display currently in the Reception area of the hotel.
The Market Cross is a 9th century high cross that would have originally been located at the gate of the Kells Monastery. You will find this located near the Heritage Centre
Market Square
The 12th century charters in the Book of Kells mention margad Cenanndas, the market of Kells. The market survived until the late 18th century, when the First Earl of Bective initiated a series of changes and gave Kells the character of an attractive estate town. The livestock fair was transferred from the town’s streets to the Fair Green. Market Street was then rebuilt in Georgian style, typical of which are the fanlights still in evidence today over entrance doors.
St. Columba's Church and Grounds
St. Columba's Church and Grounds mark the original site of the Monastery of Kells. In the 6th century the High King of Tara, is said to have granted the dun of Cenannus to St. Columcille for the purpose of establishing a monastery. This may explain why in 804 the Columban community on the island of Iona (Hebridies) then the principal of Columban monastery, moved to Kells to escape the reaches of Norse raiding parties. St. Columba's church stands on the site of the original Columban monastery. The grounds contain three Celtic high crosses and a round tower.
Kells Round Tower
The Round Tower is located in the grounds of St. Columba’s Church and was built in the 10th century. Kells round tower has a number of unusual features. It has five top windows instead of the usual four. These overlook the five ancient roads leading into town and correspond to the five medieval town gates – Cannon, Carrick, Maudlin, Dublin and Farrell Gates. Sacred vessels and the Book of Kells were kept in the Tower. It is from here that the Book of Kells was stolen in 1007.
St. Colmcilles House
This house dates from the early 10th century and is characteristic of an oratory from that period. Access to the monks sleeping accommodation in the loft is by a modern ladder. The Oratory is kept locked and access may be gained by walking a short way down the hill to Mrs. Carpenter’s house, she has the key and can offer a brief guide to the Oratory.
The High Crosses
Some of the Highlights from the five crosses are the Cross of St Patrick and St. Columba also known as the South Cross, eat face pictured below stands around 3.30 metres high and was erected in the 9ht century. On the east face you can see Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, above that The Three Children in the Furnace and above that Daniel in the Lions Den. This is the earliest of the five crosses in Kells
The West Cross or Ruined Cross
The West Cross or Ruined Cross, which stands at the west end of the graveyard mast of been a very fine High Cross, it has some beautifully inscribed decorative panels on it’s north and south sides,
The Spire of Lloyd
The first Earl of Bective erected the Spire of Lloyd, a mock lighthouse in 1791, in memory of his father Sir Thomas Taylor. The architect was Henry Baker who completed the design of the King Inns in Dublin. A section of land adjoining the Tower was given to the Kells Union Workhouse to be used as a pauper’s graveyard.
Ciaran’s Well
Ciaran’s Well is one of the best known holy wells in County Meath and is located approximately three miles to the west of Kells. On the first Sunday in August there is a festival to celebrate the curative power of the water from the Well. Different areas of the well are believed to have different curative powers.
Market Cross