Book of Kells

 

You can travel all the way to Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland to view the Book of Kells…or visit the Hackley Public Library right here in Downtown Muskegon!

In 1990 Trinity College granted permission for 1,480 replicas to be published at a price of $14,800 each.

 

The Muskegon Irish American Society & Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame (then a chapter of the Hibernians) and the Friends of Hackley Public Library undertook a fund-raising campaign to purchase this exact replica to celebrate the Library’s 100th Anniversary.

 

The Hackley Public Library may be one of only two public spaces in North America with a facsimile edition of the Book of Kells on permanent display! Hackley Public Library’s magnificent copy can be seen in a large, beautiful wooden and glass case located in the Main Reading Room. A beautiful Waterford Crystal bowl accompanies the manuscript.

 

A page of the manuscript is carefully, and ceremoniously turned once monthly by a white gloved member of the library staff.