Sir, – In demanding the return of the Book of Kells (Home News, August 31st), it is a pity that the town of Kells does not make more of the magnificent treasures that it already possesses. I am thinking of the four ancient crosses, embellished with animal and figure sculpture, which are far easier for the public to examine than the microscopic detail in the painted manuscript.
The monastery at Kells was a great centre of stone sculpture: why is this not heralded on the approach to the town? Some of the monuments are not easy to find, so why is there no dedicated walking trail and why no special parking area for visitors?
Once in Kells, information about the monuments is almost nonexistent; no word, for example, about the remarkable “unfinished” cross, which tells us more about the processes of carving and construction than any other high cross in the country; no word either about “St Columba’s House”, the 11th century (?) church with its ancient stone roof still intact. Nor is there any obvious concern with conservation (in recent years, for example, a tree has been allowed to spread its branches over the famous “Tower cross”).
Sadly, the visitor leaves Kells with no sense that any of these great works are seriously cherished. Given a more pro-active approach, Trinity College might be asked to provide its visitors with information explaining the historic importance of the town, along with a note of how to get there (by public transport).
Having seen the book in Dublin, a visit to Kells itself might then become an essential port of call. – Yours, etc,