Kells, County Meath

Infobox Irish Place
name = Kells
gaeilge = Ceanannas
crest

motto =
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pin coords = left: 51px; top: 44px
north coord = 53.727998
west coord = 6.877613
irish grid = N738759
area =
elevation =
province = Leinster
county = County Meath
town pop = 5,248
census yr = 2006
web =
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Kells (Irish place name|Ceanannas [For most of the 20th century the town's official name was "Ceanannas Mór". In the late 20th century the town reverted to the more widely known English version of its name, Kells, and dropped "Mór" from the Irish version of the name.] |Great Chief Abode) is a town in County Meath in Ireland. The town lies on the N3 road, and lies 16 km (10 mi) from Navan and 65 km (40 mi) from Dublin. In recent years the town has expanded considerably with many Dublin commuters moving to the town.

Name

The name Kells derives from Kenlis, an anglicisation of the Irish language word 'Ceann Lios'. Ceann Lios, meaning "head fort" appears to be another form of the name Ceannanus Mór. Kells, Kenlis and Headfort all feature in the titles taken by the Taylor family, and all contribute to local place names.

History

The monastery at Kells is thought to have been first founded around 804 A.D. It was founded by monks fleeing from St Colmcille's Iona monastery, to escape Viking invasions.

In 1152, the Synod of Kells completed the transition of the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland from a monastic church to the diocesan church that continues today. While called the Synod of Kells, this important Synod was transferred to Mellifont, Co Louth, and held there in March 1152. Kells was raised to a Diocese by the Synod, but was later reduced to parochial status. At the end of the 12th century Hugh de Lacy was granted the whole of Meath and under the Anglo-Normans the religious establishments at Kells flourished.

Kells, as border town of the Pale, was the scene of many battles, between Anglo, Irish and Norman fighters. During Tudor times, it was used as a mustering place for soldiers. From 1561 to 1800 Kells returned two Members of Parliament to the Irish House of Commons.

The period of the Irish Potato Famine saw the population of Kells drop by 38% as measured by the census records of 1841 and 1851. The Workhouse and the Fever Hospital were described as full to overflowing.

Places of interest

*The Abbey of Kells, with its round tower, is associated with St Columba (also called St Colmcille) and with the Book of Kells, now kept at Trinity College Dublin. The round tower and five large Celtic crosses that can still be viewed today. Four of the crosses are in the churchyard of St Columba's church, the other, a large Celtic cross that was positioned in the middle of a busy crossroads, until an unfortunate accident involving a cumbersome school bus. It now stands in front of a former courthouse (which is now a museum and coffeeshop), and has a roof over it to protect it from the elements (curiously a replica is completely safe from the elements inside the museum).
*Close by the graveyard of St. Columba's church stands a small stoned roofed Oratory (St. Columcille's House). This probably dates from the 11th century. Access to the monks' sleeping accommodation aloft is by ladder. This small rectangular building is positioned at one of the highest points in the town. The Oratory is kept locked, but visitor access can be arranged.
*Just outside the town on the road to Oldcastle, stands the Tower of Lloyd. This interesting towering building is an 18th century folly in the form of a in the form of a giant Doric column, surmounted by glazed lantern, erected to the memory of Sir Thomas Taylor, 1st Earl of Bective, by his son. The tower is around 30 m (100 ft) high, and from the top one can see magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and as far as the Mourne mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland on a clear day. The tower was used to view horse racing and the hunt in the nineteenth century. The plaque on the tower reads: 'This pillar was designed by Henry Aaron Baker Esq. architect was executed by Mr. Joseph Beck stone cutter Mr. Owen Mc Cabe head mason Mr. Bartle Reilly overseer Anno 1791'. The area around the tower has been developed as a community park (The People's Park), and includes the Paupers' Grave. This cemetery was a necessity in the times of great poverty in the country. Mass is still celebrated there annually and the cemetery is a grim reminder of the Workhouse and the extreme poverty which was engendered by changes in farming practice in the 19th century and also of the Famine.
*Jack Murphy's, a local eatery, popular with the locals. Famed for it's fine wrapped cuisine, it is the birthplace of the modern 'Breakfast Roll'. In 1915, while WWI rationing laws fuelled the popularity of consumption of cold meats, Mr Murphy, an enterprising young farmer offered the roll to locals with the unique selling point - The Roll could be purchased in the morning, and would keep the meat warm for consumption on the plough or factory floor. This Kells delicacy is still popular today, particularly with students looking for a cheap, nutritious snack.

Population

The population of Kells in April 2002 was 4421 people (according to the 2002 Census of Population). This represented an increase of 879 people over the 1996 Census. This was a 24.8% increase in total population between 1996 and 2002.

Transport

*The town is serviced by a regular bus service from Bus Éireann, the bus trip takes about 1.5 hours from Dublin.
* [http://www.meathontrack.com Meath on Track] are seeking reinstatement of the railway link to Navan, and on to Dublin. Kells to Dublin City Centre by train would take approximately 60 minutes depending on stops.
*Kells railway station opened on 11 July 1853, closed for passenger traffic on 14 April 1958 and finally closed altogether on 1 April 1963. [cite web | title=Kells station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-10-16|format=PDF]

Kells in Popular Culture

Film:

*The Butcher Boy was filmed at Headfort House

Music:

*Jim Connell of Crossakiel b. 1852, Kells wrote the Socialist anthem "The Red Flag'
*Meteor Irish Music Award winning indie band Ham Sandwich hail from Kells
*Turn are also from Kells
*Eamonn Carr, Music Journalist and drummer for Horslips is a native of Kells.
*Dick Farrelly, b. 1916 from Kells wrote the music for The Quiet Man whilst commuting to work on a Bus Eireann coach to Dublin [http://www.hoganstand.com/general/Identity/extras/famousgaels/stories/dfarrelly.htm]

Sport

*Damien McGrane b. 1971 professional golfer is a Kells man.
*Munster Rugby full back Denis Hurley [http://www.munsterrugby.ie/19_7475.php] was born and bred in Kells.

ee also

*List of towns in Ireland
*Market Houses in Ireland
*Kells, County Antrim, a village in Northern Ireland.
* [http://www.meathtourism.ie Meath Tourism]

References