Abbey of Kells

The Abbey of Kells is an early medieval monastic site at the town of Kells in County Meath, Ireland, noted for its round tower, high crosses and church ruins. The site represents a major early Christian foundation in the Irish midlands.

Visitors can see the freestanding round tower, multiple carved high crosses, and the remains of the church and enclosure that date from the 9th to the 12th centuries. The site is closely associated with the monastic community that preserved important illuminated manuscripts in the early medieval period.

The monastery was established during the early medieval period; the community is historically linked to monastic refugees from Iona and to the production and safeguarding of illuminated manuscripts. Over the centuries the site developed, suffered Viking attacks, and evolved into a parish and later abbey complex.

Kells sits inland in County Meath, north-west of Dublin, with the monastic site located within walking distance of the modern town centre.

• Book of Kells connection: The site preserves early medieval features associated with the community that produced or sheltered portions of the Book of Kells after Viking raids on Iona.

What to See #

• Round tower: A freestanding round tower dating to the early medieval period rises within the monastic enclosure and is one of the best-preserved features on site.
• High crosses and carved stones: Several high crosses and carved stones stand within the churchyard and monastic site, including the well-known West Cross.
• Monastic enclosure and church ruins: Remains of the monastic enclosure and church ruins mark the footprint of the medieval monastery and its graveyard.