This has nothing to do with Donegal or Ballyshannon, I know, but it is too beautiful not to mention: The second digitalisation of the iconic Book of Kells should have been national (and international) news. I is a gift to the public, payed for with public money, and it is something to be proud about.
The Book of Kells is a medieval Bible-manuskript dated to aprx. the year 800. It is a historic treasure: The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass those of other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity. The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular, celtic art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic Knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours, enliven the manuscript’s pages. It’s iconography inspired graphics of “celtic type”, you find motives from the book in present day jewellery, paintings, clothes – whatever you can think of.
The book’s dimensions are only 330 by 250 mm, so pretty small really. In 1986 a first full-colour facsimile was produced, based on photos, and in 2006 Trinity College produced a first digital scan. That was exciting, but by scientific measures it was not enough. In September 2024 Trinity published a second scan – and that shows the book in all its beauty and bigger than live: pictures of 2379 x 3150 px are almost what you would call “8K” in the world of TVs. What that means? They are big enough to print them out as wallpapers, if you’d like to.
Or just have a peek at it here and now. You can zoom into the pictures with your mouse. If you want to see the book full-screen, use the link above.
