Where the Book of Kells came from

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Where the Book of Kells came from

On Wednesday, a scheduled break before the final sprint, the ensemble toured Trim and Kells in County Meath.

This is the Christian priory at Columbkill in Kells. The Book of Kells would have been created here, according to Mrs. Campbell, the elderly local woman in the photo. It would probably have been drawn outside, as it is quite dark inside. The 'scriptorium' is in a hidden room in the apex of the building, which slept three.

Trim Castle
Earlier, there was a trip to Trim in County Meath, where there are remains of a large, Ivanhoe-scale castle. Below are the battlements of the curtain wall, which surrounds the massive keep with its 11-foot thick walls.

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Trip Itinerary

Sunday 19th July Day One

Arrive Dublin International Airport on Aer Lingus 132 at approx. 7.30am
Leaving passport control & luggage area, ready to depart by 9.15am

The journey from the airport into the city is not great (approx 7 miles) but with early morning traffic this could take 30/40 minutes.

Arrive centre of the city by approx. 10.00am

8-night stay at the Harding hotel.
Good quality 2-star hotel with all en-suite rooms, colour t/v and tea/coffee making facilities in each room and adjoining Irish bar.

Superbly situated next to Christ Church cathedral and just 7/8 minutes walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral, yet only 5 minutes walk from Temple Bar and 6/8 minutes walk from Trinity College/Grafton Street and central Dublin.

Time to unload and book in if possible (dependent on time of arrival)

We may need to lose some time in the city prior to arriving at the hotel: it all depends on when rooms are ready.

Lunch own arrangements

Rest of the afternoon to wander and acclimatise with the city.

Evening meal own arrangements.

* * *
Monday 20th July Day Two

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am

Guided bus tour arranged meet at the front of the hotel at 9.00am. (tour approx. 2-3hrs with stops)
(do remember to pack vestments and music)

Dublin
Even in 140 A.D. Ptolemy observed that Eblana was a place of note. Ptolemy refers to the river Liffey as Oboka, meaning a delta. It was however not until 840 A.D. that Norse sea rovers landed here and built a base for their maritime expeditions that the area really began to develop as a town. The history of the area is really tied to the history of Ireland, never really settled, just like the name, the Irish called it Duibhlinn, the Norse called it Dyfflin, and the Anglo Normans Dublinne from which the present name derives.

A city steeped in history, it as fine wide streets, squares and parks with wonderful examples of Georgian architecture.

With the tour completed by approx. 11.45am., drop group with vestments and music at St Patrick’s cathedral. Time to see the vergers and store music and vestments

St Patrick’s Cathedral
Dedicated in 1192, the cathedral was originally built by the Norman, archbishop Comyn. This early Norman church was rebuilt in the first half of the 13th century, the building we see today.

Many interesting aspects to see, including the medieval chapter house door with an hole in it dating from 1492. It gives rise to the English phrase "chancing your arm". The earl of Kildare cut the hole and through it stretched out his arm to grasp the hand of his enemy the earl of Ormond. By taking the initiative peace was restored between them and ever since the door as been known as the door of reconciliation.

Handel’s Messiah received its first performance in Dublin in 1742 sung by the combined choirs of St Patrick’s & Christ Church Cathedral's.

After arranging storage of vestments etc coach will return group to the Harding Hotel, leaving St Patrick’s at approx. 12.30pm

Lunch own arrangements

All choristers return to St Patrick’s cathedral by 3.30pm.

Time to arrange rehearsals etc

Rehearsal in the cathedral choir stalls 4.00pm – 5.30pm

Evensong service at 5.45pm

On completion of the service all choristers return to the hotel. Short walk approx. 8/10 minutes. Evening meal own arrangements.

* * *
Tuesday 21st July Day Three

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am

Today is a free morning in Dublin.

Maybe visit the national Museum of Ireland in Kildare Street (cost not inc in trip)

National Museum of Ireland
Opened in Kildare Street 1890, the museum contains many artefacts dating from 700 B.C. The archaeological collections consist of the treasury, featuring outstanding examples of Celtic and medieval art.

The famous Ardagh chalice and the Tara brooch dating from the eighth century, the twelfth century cross of Cong, said to contain a fragment of the true cross, the Derrynaflan hoard, a collection of 8th & 9th century silver objects found in Co Tipperary during 1980.

Look carefully at the Tara brooch, see the intricate filigree work on the front and back. When you view the Book of Kells do consider it is from these patterns that it is thought the manuscript illuminations are derived.

Ireland's gold, features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe.

Lunch own arrangements

Afternoon own arrangements

All choristers return to St Patrick’s cathedral by 3.45pm. Rehearsal in the cathedral choir stalls 4.00pm – 5.30pm. Evensong service at 5.45pm. On completion of the service all choristers return to the hotel. Short walk approx. 8/10 minutes. Evening meal own arrangements.

* * *
Wednesday 22nd July Day Four

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am
No services or rehearsals today

Excursion today to Trim village & castle and the village of Kells

Ready to depart at 9.00am

With a journey north to Trim arrive at approx. 10.00am
Time to wander in the town & castle grounds. Meet back at the castle entrance at 10.50am.

Guided tour of the castle keep at 11.00am. (approx 45 minutes)

Trim Village & Castle

Plenty to see in this little village on the banks of the river Boyne.

The castle used as a location for the Mel Gibson film Braveheart. The first castle on the site was a simple mott & bailey type in 1173 but this was replaced in the 1190s and eventually grew into the finest and largest anglo-Norman castle in Ireland

King John did stay at Trim in 1210 and Richard II incarcerated his ward Prince Henry of Lancaster (later Henry IV) here for some time.

The curtain wall of 488 yards encloses an area of approx. 3 acres. There are 10 D shaped towers and a square keep of over 70ft in height and walls that are over 11 feet thick.
Much in ruin now but the look and feel is very much of a typical English medieval castle.

Ready to depart from the coach park at 12.15pm. Short journey to the village of Kells to arrive at approx. 12.45pm at the heritage centre. Light lunch arranged of homemade soup and a roll (cost inc in trip). Audio visual display arranged in the heritage centre followed by a guided tour of the crosses in the town.

Town of Kells
Is a place of history, the original monastery was founded by St. Columba in the sixth century and from the early ninth century it was probably the leading Columban monastery in Ireland.

The monks from the original foundation on Iona fled here after repeated raids by the Vikings on their Scottish home. It is thought they actually made The Book of Kells on Iona and brought it with them when they moved here.

By the 12th century continued raids by Vikings and then Normans eventually made up the minds of the monks to move again and they left Kells and made their way to Derry where they set up a new headquarters. Eventually by the time of the dissolution very little remained at Kells.

But do look round the village and church yard, many monastic antiquities remain including some very special crosses dating back hundreds of years.

Ready to load and leave from the coach park at 3.30pm. Arrive in Dublin at the hotel at approx. 4.45pm
Evening meal own arrangements

* * *
Thursday 23rd July Day Five

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am
Today is a free morning in Dublin.
Maybe visit Trinity College and view the Book of Kells in the library (cost not inc in trip)

Trinity College
The 90 mtr frontage was built between 1755 and 1759. Founded as the university of Dublin by Queen Elizabeth 1st of England in 1591. At present the number of students is just over 7,000. It admitted female students as long ago as 1903.
The old library contains some 5,000 manuscripts and among its most treasured possessions is the magnificently illuminated Book of Kells.

This treasure dates back to the 9th century and is designed by unknown hands.

Book of Kells
The library houses one of Ireland’s real treasures, an illuminated manuscript called the Book of Kells. Illuminated manuscripts are derived from the Celtic ecclesiastical tradition of Saint Columba, whose teachings spread not only through Ireland, but Scotland and northern England, together with areas of mainland Europe. No one is quite sure if the book was copied and illuminated in Ireland. It may have been completed in Scotland on the isle of Iona or even in England at Lindisfarne.

What we do know is that the book was taken to the monastery of Kells in Co Meath for safe keeping during the Viking raids of 9th century.

After this unsettled period in Irish history the book spent some time buried underground, lost some 30 of its pages and was not bought to Dublin till sometime in the 17th century.
The book now consists of some 680 pages written in Latin and follows the four gospels of the New Testament. It was rebound into four separate volumes in 1950 and one now has the chance to see at least two volumes on show at any one time, one showing an illuminated page and another a page of text.

Lunch own arrangements. Afternoon own arrangements
All choristers return to St Patrick’s cathedral by 3.45pm
Rehearsal in the cathedral choir stalls 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Evensong service at 5.45pm
On completion of the service all choristers return to the hotel
Short walk approx. 8/10 minutes
Evening meal own arrangements

* * *
Friday 24th July Day Six

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am
Today is a free morning in Dublin.
Maybe visit Christ Church Cathedral and the famous crypt. (cost not inc in trip)

Christ Church Cathedral Dublin
Dublin’s oldest building, dating back to 1172. Built by the Norman Richard De Clare (better known as Strongbow). However most of the building you see now is very Victorian after a restoration in the 1870s. The medieval crypt is original and runs the entire length of the cathedral. Some architectural features and stone carvings exist from the 12th also some 13th century tiles. The choir school was founded in 1480 and is famous for taking part in the world’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Lunch own arrangements. Afternoon own arrangements. All choristers return to St Patrick’s cathedral by 3.45pm. Rehearsal in the cathedral choir stalls 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Evensong service at 5.45pm. On completion of the service all choristers return to the hotel. Short walk approx. 8/10 minutes. Evening meal own arrangements.

* * *
Saturday 25th July Day Seven
Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am. Today is a free day in Dublin. No services or rehearsals today. Maybe a visit to the Guinness Storehouse (cost maybe €14) (cost not inc in trip)

Guinness Storehouse
The storehouse was a Guinness fermentation tank from 1904 to 1988, it is now a 7 storey visitor centre, located in the heart of the world famous St James Gate Brewery. If full this tank would hold 14,300,000 pints of the black stuff.

Rest of the day free time in the city. Lunch & evening meal own arrangements

* * *
Sunday 26th July Day Eight

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am.

Day of services in Dublin.
All choristers depart from the hotel at 8.45am and walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral. Morning rehearsals arranged from 9.15am – 10.45am.

Sung Eucharist Service @ 11.15am

On completion of the service all choristers can return to the hotel—short walk approx. 10 minutes.

Lunch own arrangements

All choristers return to the cathedral at 1.30pm

Afternoon rehearsals arranged from 1.45pm – 2.45pm

Evensong Service @ 3.15pm

On completion of the service at approx. 4.00pm. All choristers, walk back to the hotel. (Do remember to remove vestments & music from the cathedral.)

Evening meal own arrangements

* * *
Monday 27th July Day Nine

Full breakfast arranged from 7.30am

Today is a move day please listen carefully to instructions. Please bring luggage down to the coach at 8.10am. Ready to leave Dublin at 8.30am.

Journey southwest via Co Kildare, Co Laois into Co Tipperary for a mid morning stop at Cashel to arrive at approx. 10.50am

Cashel
Originally the fort of Munster and once capital of the southern province. The town is completely dominated by the very famous rock of Cashel which rearing up from the plain dominated the land routes to the south. Kings of Ireland came to this spot together with St Patrick who preached here.

The Rock of Cashel
On this limestone outcrop stands the most beautiful and complete Romanesque church in the country. A medieval cathedral, a castle tower house, a round tower and a 15th century hall of vicars. All of the finest medieval Irish architecture.

Hall of Vicars
Built in the 15th century to cater for eight vicars who assisted in the cathedral services

Cormacs Chapel
Built circa 1127, a superb Romanesque church. The architecture has clear continental influences.

Cathedral
Built circa-1227 anglo Norman in conception, it as Gothic arches but without doubt it is a purely Irish built unit. The central tower is excitingly grand but did not appear till the early 14th century

Round Tower
Without doubt the earliest building on the rock probably dating back to the 12th century although locals suggest even earlier circa 10th century. Guided tour of the rock arranged for 11.10am.

On completion of your visit return to the coach ready to leave at 12.40pm. Short journey to the town to arrive in the coach park at 12.45pm. Time to wander and get some food. Lunch own arrangements in the town.

After lunch return to the coach park ready to leave at 2.10pm
Onwards towards Co Kerry via Co Limerick, to arrive in Adare for a afternoon stop at approx. 3.30pm.

Adare
Famously picturesque, this village with its rows of road side cottages, sitting neatly beneath quaint deep brown thatch seen over hanging the walls in what looks like fringes.

The cottages represent the ideal of the then landlord 3rd Earl of Dunraven (1812-71)in an effort to improve the lot of his tenants. Today the village is regarded as one of the prettiest in all Ireland.

Ready to leave at 4.40pm.

Onward to arrive in the small town of Castleisland at approx. 5.45pm. to book in to the River Island Hotel. Very nice 3/4 star accommodation situated in the centre of this small town
Not a large hotel but with nice en suite rooms all with colour t/v and tea/coffee making facilities. Nice bar, lounges and excellent restaurant.

Castleisland
Set in the province of Munster, in Co Kerry this small but very busy market town has a population of approx. 2,000 people and is renown for the width of its main street. Once described as “not so much a town as a street between two fields.”
The town got its name from “castle of the island of Kerry” from a local castle built in 1226 (no longer remaining)
The island was created by diverting the river Maine into a moat surrounding the castle.

In medieval times this area was the chief domain of the Desmond family.

Evening meal arranged at the hotel at 7.30pm.

* * *
Tuesday 28th July Day Ten

Full breakfast arranged from 7.15am

Ready to leave for a full day excursion round the Ring of Kerry at 9.00am

Ring of Kerry
To obtain a really panoramic view of Kerry’s most outstanding scenery, this tour is a must. Extending for 112 miles and usually done in an anti-clockwise direction, it follows the coastline of the Iveragh peninsula, along the banks of the river Laune to Killorglin, via Glenbeigh, along the southern shores of Dingle Bay to Kells and Caherciveen where Valentia island comes into view. The tour continues to Waterville and along the coast via Coomakista pass and Derrynane and onto Sneem. From Sneem up the mountain road to Moll`s gap, then Ladies View and back to Killarney.

Departing from Castleisland ready to join the road at Killorglin
(described by many as the gateway to the beautiful Iveragh peninsula).

Famous for its Puck Fair held during mid August each year
Commence journey round Dingle Bay, the mountains of Macgillycuddy Reeks standing high on the left.

Continuing via Glenbeigh onto the town of Cathersiveen.

Cathersiveen
The capital town of the peninsula situated at the head of Valentia harbour on the Fertha River, the town is the main shopping area for this end of the ring. In 1867 the great Fenian conspiracy led to an abortive rising here against the British. It was planned to occupy the barracks and then the cable station in Valentia and from there inform a startled world that the Irish Republic had been proclaimed in Cathersiveen, but circumstances proved adverse.

Passing through the town the Isle of Valentia can be seen in the distance.

Valentia
The island is approx. 11kms long by 3kms wide and is one of the most westerly points of Europe . The surface is rugged and rocky but does provide good sea angling. The first telegraph cable (now superseded) across the Atlantic from U.S.A. came ashore here in 1858.

Short journey across the headland to Waterville in lovely Ballinskelligs Bay for a late morning stop at approx. 11.15am

Waterville
The town nestles between Lough Currane and the Atlantic and is a world famous game fishing resort. Fine scenery and many good beaches in the area. Well loved by artists, archaeologists, botanists in fact everyone. Also claims a world renown 18 hole golf course.

Lunch own arrangements

A chance to stretch those legs along the sea shore before departing at 1.20pm.

Climbing out of the town, just past the crest of the road is Coomakistra pass with one of the finest views in Kerry,
both of the bay and the Kenmare River now appearing over the mountains.

Time for brief stop for a photo opportunity.

Onward though Catherdaniel (a pretty village standing on the shores of Derrynane Bay)

Catherdaniel
This whole area contains evidence of occupation dating back 6,000/7,000 years. From Beaker Folk coming from Spain to mine copper in 2,000 B.C. right back to prehistoric graves from Neolithic times 4,000 B.C. Invaders landed several times including the first military invaders from Greece on the 14th May 2680 B.C.

The road now takes the coach along the Kenmare River estuary to arrive at the village of Sneem at approx. 2.45pm, dependant on stops for photographs.

Sneem
Situated in a beautiful location on the estuary of the Arsheelaun River, Sneem is a past winner of the Irish national tidy towns competition.

A colourful village and last resting place of Cearbhall O`Dalaigh a former president who his buried in the local churchyard.

Departing from the village at 3.50pm

Turn off in the town to head through the mountains. This stretch of the road to Killarney combines dramatic scenery with views to last a lifetime from molls gap at the top of the pass down.

Through Ladies View to the three lakes of Killarney
(upper lake , middle lake and lower lake), the upper one being the most dramatic and beautiful.

To arrive in Killarney at approx. 5.15pm

Killarney
Renown for its beauty, famed for the splendour of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world’s best loved tourist spots. It became a significant town about 1750 when the local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four main roads were built to the outside world. The present population is approx. 9,000 and the main economic base is tourism.
The great assets of Killarney are the lakes, mountains and woods, although scattered and difficult to get around so very beautiful.

Situated in the south western corner of Ireland with its three great lakes reflecting the ever changing skies, it has been an inspiration for poets, writers and painters for centuries. Plenty of places to get a nice meal.

Time to wander and get some food. Evening meal own arrangements

Return to the coach ready to leave at 8.00pm

Arrive back in Castleisland at approx. 8.30pm

* * *
Wednesday 29th July Day Eleven

Please have luggage ready to load at 6.15am (return home day).

Continental breakfast arranged at the hotel at 6.15am

Ready to leave Castleisland at 7.00am

Journey north to Shannon airport to arrive at approx. 8.45/9.00am

Time to unload luggage and book in ready for flight home.

God speed from us all
Safe journey home.

Christ Church Choir - 2009 Ireland Trip

Thursday, July 23, 2009