The Book of Kells - Gift Edition

A must-have for any Irish history buff. This gift edition book features 59 full-size reproductions of complete pages from the Book of Kells and enlarged details that allow you to relish the intricacy of elements barely visible to the naked eye.

The Book of Kells is a masterpiece of medieval art - a brilliantly decorated version of the four Gospels with full-page depictions of Christ, the Virgin and the Evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative paintings.

This book, by the Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity Bernard Meehan, presents the glories of the Book of Kells to the contemporary reader, revealing the astounding detail and richness of one of the greatest treasures of medieval art.

It reproduces the most important of the fully decorated pages, as well as a series of enlargements, allowing you to see the most minute and intricate of detail - the spirals and interlacing of the patterns, human and animal ornament and highlighting the combination of high seriousness and humour that typify Ireland's most famous book.

Accompanying the illustrations is a new text by Dr Bernard Meehan, former Head of Research Collections and Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Dublin. Meehan provides an authoritative analysis of the book, its artists, texts and script, as well as a full account of the historical background of the majestic Book of Kells.