Kells

Kells (originally Kenlis), an ancient town of County Meath, Leinster, Ireland, situated on the Blackwater, 26 miles by rail W. of Drogheda. It has several interesting antiquities, including St Columba's house, a round tower, and three or four stone crosses. Kells was made the centre of a bishop's see in 807; this was united to the see of Meath in the 13th century. Previous to the Union Kells returned two members to parliament. Pop. 2822. A manuscript copy of the gospels, called the Book of Kells, is beautifully executed with coloured Celtic ornamentation, and is believed to be the work of the 9th century. It is now preserved in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. See ILLUMINATION OF MANUSCRIPTS.