Sunday, May 14, 2006

The Book of Kells



Now that the weather is changing and we are all thinking of holidays, you might be considering a trip to Ireland. The welcome you will get in Ireland is quite unique, something everyone should experience at some time in their lives.

If you get the change, do visit Trinity College in Dublin. It houses the Book of Kells.

The Book of Kells is an hand painted illustrated manuscript of the four gospels, of the Bible in Latin. It was produced by celtic monks between 600 and 800 AD. with numerous colourful illustrations and illuminations. It's on permanent display at the Trinity College Library, where it is catalogued as MS 58.

It is amazing how the Book of Kells has inspired so many people over the years in different artistic mediums. For myself, it inspired some of my knitwear designs. Trinity College is also a place where my father exhibited his art. He was a Slade trained artist and specialised in minature detailed art of Ireland.

If anyone owns any of his paintings, I would love to know. His name was James Joseph Callan.

AnneMarie Callan