Reported as of 20 Oct 2026.
The original Book of Kells is at Trinity College Dublin. Kells, Co. Meath, is 69 km away, and the Book's home town is open to visitors all year. Here is a full day there, from a Dublin breakfast to a Dublin dinner.
For a shorter loop around the old monastery, see Where the Book lived: a walk through Kells. This page is the whole-day plan.
Getting there
By bus. Bus Éireann route 109 runs from Dublin to Kells via Navan. It leaves from Busáras (Gate 15) and stops in Kells town ("Kells" on the timetable), with further stops at Kells West and Kells Business Park. On the timetable that starts on Sunday 1 November 2026, the 09:45 from Busáras is due in Kells at 11:27, and the 08:45 at 10:31. Check the route 109 page for the current timetable and the return times before you travel.
By car. Take the M3 north-west from Dublin past Navan and follow the signs for Kells.
11:30 The Courthouse Tourism and Cultural Hub
Start at the Courthouse on Headfort Place. Inside is a facsimile of the Book, with touch screens showing its pages, a replica of the Kells Crozier and a model of the town. Boyne Valley Tourism says the exhibition is free to visit, and so is the Toradh 2 art gallery in the same building. Pick up a trail map here. Check the Courthouse page before you go.
Book St Colmcille's House now. Visits to the stone oratory are arranged through the Courthouse, subject to availability, and Boyne Valley Tourism asks for 24 hours' notice. So ring or email the Courthouse the day before.
12:15 The Market Cross
The Market Cross stands right outside the Courthouse. It is one of the high crosses of Kells, carved with scenes in stone panels. Walk all four sides.
13:00 Lunch in town
Kells has cafés and pubs within a few minutes' walk of the Courthouse. Eat in town and you are a Kells visitor, not a Dublin day-tripper passing through.
14:00 St Columba's Church and the high crosses
Walk up to St Columba's Church, on the highest ground in the town, where Colmcille's monastery stood. The churchyard holds the Round Tower, with its cap missing, and the high crosses of the monastic site. Read the panels inside the church.
15:00 St Colmcille's House
A short walk from the churchyard is St Colmcille's House, the steep-roofed stone oratory you booked through the Courthouse. It was standing when the Book was in Kells.
16:00 Optional: the Spire of Lloyd or the Historic Trail
If you have the time and energy, drive or walk out to the Spire of Lloyd, the landmark on the hill west of the town. Or follow the rest of the Kells Historic Trail from the Courthouse. Boyne Valley Tourism suggests allowing an hour or more for it.
Getting home
Catch a 109 back to Busáras. The timetable is on the route 109 page.
Why come to Kells
The Book carries this town's name. Made in Kells holds that it was made here, and that it should come home to Kells for good. That is a return, not a loan, and nothing has been agreed yet. Until it comes home, spend a day where it lived.
Planning more? See Visit Kells and Visiting the Book of Kells. Questions: hello@madeinkells.com.
Sources
- Bus Éireann, Route 109 Dublin to Kells via Navan, and the timetable from 1 Nov 2026 (PDF)
- Discover Boyne Valley: Kells Courthouse Tourism and Cultural Hub
- Discover Boyne Valley: Kells Historic Trail
- Monastic site details: as in Where the Book lived: a walk through Kells, with its sources.