Book of Kells

The Book of Kells was written on the Scottish island of Iona in the 8th century. Though not written in Ireland, it became a powerful symbol of Irishness. By the 11th century, it was kept in the Abbey of Kells. In 1006, King Sitric Silkbeard sent Olaf Eriksson to the Abbey to convince the librarian Brother Bernard to not allow Brian Boru to use it as a tool to gain the throne of Dublin.

The Monk was at the Abbey, where he was the Abbot and called himself Thelonius. He was taking advantage of the artistic skills of the monks to draw a new directional circuit for his TARDIS, using a page of the Book of Kells and liquid Gallifrite.

After being partially burned by Tamsin and being lost for 80 days, the Book of Kells was recovered, in accordance with recorded history as chronicled in the Annals of Ulster, and returned to the Abbey. (AUDIO: The Book of Kells)

Behind the scenes

Roger Murray-Leach based the Time Lord symbol seen in The Deadly Assassin on the Book of Kells, as he thought the Celtic background was rather unique. (DOC: The Matrix Revisited)