A journey through 1,500 years of history at Saint Columba’s

Tour starts and ends at Saint Columba’s Gate, Market Street.

Located at the very centre of ancient Ireland’s most important crossroads, the monastery of Kells was founded in the decades after the final collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

Attributed to Saint Colmcille/Columba, its establishment in the mid-6th Century followed immediately after environmental catastrophe and plague had wiped out more than one-third of Ireland’s and Europe’s population, which resulted in a rapid rise in Irish Christian converts.

Over 15 centuries since then, through countless wars, plagues, famines and natural disasters which struck Kells, Saint Columba’s remained a place of hope and sanctuary, and is today Ireland’s oldest surviving Christian foundation of continued worship.

Within its walls, still stand the buildings and monuments which bear testimony, not only to the long history of this magnificent national treasure and the town that now surrounds it, but to the history of Ireland itself.

Take an hour out to walk and explore this much overlooked incredible treasure right on your own doorstep.

You won’t regret it!