At Trinity College Dublin, the famous “Book of Kells” (a beautifully illuminated 9th-century Irish manuscript) is now on display in a brand-new showcase. It’s a high-tech device, designed by world-renowned Italians who also created the display cases for the Mona Lisa, the Crown Jewels and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Book, now presented in this showcase, offers a highly immersive spectacle. The result is worth the detour!
It may look simple, but it’s a little jewel of technology. Forget its austere appearance: although the new Book of Kells display case stands on a plinth, supported by a self-supporting tower, it conceals many innovations. Beautifully lit in a dark room, the showcase was designed so that it could automatically turn the pages of the Book, revealing new illuminations to the public. Never before seen for Ireland’s most famous manuscript!
In this way, the Book will be able to reveal extraordinary pages that were previously unknown to the general public. Some of them have never even been revealed!
These innovations have been conceived with the utmost respect for the manuscript: the display case places the object in optimal preservation conditions. The lighting, the angle at which the book is presented, the technology used to turn the pages… No stone has been left unturned: the Book of Kells is thus magnified and protected for decades to come.
As a reminder, this manuscript dates from the 9th century. Considered a national treasure in Ireland, it contains the 4 Gospels of the New Testament. All in Latin, finely calligraphed and illuminated with gold leaf. Complete with 680 pages, it is an incredible object, perfectly preserved, and on display all year round at Trinity College, Dublin.
Its fame is such that thousands of tourists come to admire it every year.
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