Abbey of Kells

Abbey of Kells
Mainistir Cheanannais
Round tower at Kells
Abbey of Kells is located in Ireland
Abbey of Kells
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Established6th century/early 9th century
Disestablished12th century
People
Founder(s)Columba/Cellach of Iona
Site
LocationKells, County Meath, Ireland
Coordinates53°43′38″N 6°52′48″W / 53.72722°N 6.88000°W / 53.72722; -6.88000
Designations
Official nameKells (round tower & High Crosses)
Reference no.158

The Abbey of Kells (Irish: Mainistir Cheanannais) is a former monastery in Kells, County Meath, Ireland, 59 kilometres (37 mi) north-west of Dublin. It was founded in the early 9th century, and the Book of Kells was kept there during the later medieval and early modern periods before finally leaving the abbey in the 1650s. Much of the Book of Kells may have been created there, but historians cannot be certain of the exact date and circumstances of its creation.