Predated only by the cathach of st columba, the book of durrow is a gospel manuscript named after the monastery of durrow, a foundation of saint columba. The book of durrow is among the earliest surviving decorated manuscripts in. The place of creation may perhaps have been durrow abbey in ireland or a monastery in northumbria in northeastern england where the monastery at lindisfarne would be the likely candidate or perhaps iona abbey in western scotlandthe place of origin. The book of durrow is among the earliest surviving decorated manuscripts in northwestern europe, dating to the late seventh century ad. The book of durrow is a medieval illuminated manuscript gospel book in the insular script style. The illumination of the book shows especially well the varied origins of the insular style, and has been a focus for the intense arthistorical. Here it was kept from the eleventh century if not before until the seventeenth century, when, after the dissolution of the monastery as we know from an entry in the martyrology of donegal and from. It is the oldest illustrated manuscript in ireland.
Rachel moss, department of history of art and architecture, trinity college dublin. The book of durrow is preserved in trinity college library offsite link, dublin. The book of durrow the library of trinity college dublin. Predated only by the cathach of st columba, the book of durrow is a gospel manuscript named after the monastery of durrow, a foundation of saint columba near tullamore in central ireland. Gospels eighth century enamel mount evangelist symbols folio 3v folio 85v gospel book hebrew names inscription insular gospel books interlaced borders iona irish art knots lindisfarne lion living creature lough derravaragh luce martin werner masai. A superb set in the original stiff paper wrappers and housed in a recent cloth bound slipcase, titled in gilt on red. Pigskin and quarter pigskin, title in green along spine. The book of durrow is a handwritten and handillustrated gospel manuscript named after the christian monastery of durrow in central ireland. Buy the book of durrow 01 by dublin trinity college library, rachel moss.