Rare Book of Kells publications being exhibited in Athlone Library

An exhibition of rare publications relating to the Book of Kells from the special collection are currently being exhibited in Athlone Library until Saturday, December 10.

The Aidan Heavey collection in the library houses several beautiful reproductions of the book. The display includes the Evangeliorum Quatuor Codex Ceannensis, bound in vellum in a specially created presentation box with mountings of gold, silver, and brass.

Other beautiful publications include Celtic Illuminative Art previously owned by Sir Jenico Preston, 3rd Viscount Gormanston and Celtic Ornaments from the Book of Kells. Both were published by Hodges and Figgis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Other titles on display include Celtic Hand; stroke by stroke, Irish half uncial from the Book of Kells, an Arthur Baker calligraphy guide and George Otto Simms’ ‘The Book of Kells, a Selection of pages reproduced.’

The eighth century Book of Kells is one of the most magnificently decorated manuscripts to have survived from the Medieval period.

The exhibition is one of a series of displays from the remarkable Aidan Heavey Collection. For more information on upcoming events visit westmeathculture.ie or contact Athlone Library at 09064 42157 or via email at athlib@westmeathcoco.ie.