THE President, Mrs Robinson, formally opened "The Book of Kells: Picturing the World" exhibition in the Old Library, Trinity College Dublin, yesterday.
The exhibition gives visitors a better understanding of the Book of Kells - including what it is and how it was produced and of the society that produced it.
In addition to the Book of Kells itself, objects and books on display will include the Crozier of St Colmcille, metalwork, bone, slate and enamel artifacts and medieval copies of the Gospels. It was loaned to TCD by the National Museum, the Chester Beally Library and other organisations.
More than 400,000 visitors viewed the book last year. Trinity has exhibited it since the middle of the 19th century, but until now it has been displayed in a similar way to a work of fine art. Visitors could view the book, but it was not interpreted for them. This exhibition, supported by Waterford Crystal, aims to help visitors experience and understand more about it.