Things to do in Kells
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St Colmcille's House
From the churchyard exit on Church St, St Colmcille's House is left up the hill, among the row of houses on the right side of Church Lane. This squat, solid structure is a survivor from the old monastic settlement. Its name is a misnomer, as it was built in the 10th century and St Colmcille was alive in the 6th century. Experts have suggested that it was used as a scriptorium, a place where monks illuminated books.
The site is usually locked except during the summer months, but ask at the tourist office about the keys or phone Mrs Carpenter for access.
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St Columba
The Protestant church of St Columba, west of the town centre, has a 30m-high 10th-century round tower on the southern side. It’s without its conical roof, but it’s known to date back at least as far as 1076, when the high king of Tara was murdered in its confined apartments.
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Vanilla Pod
Bright and modern but rather soulless, this restaurant in the Headfort Arms Hotel is independently run and features an ambitious bistro-style menu. The food is well-prepared and sourced locally, but for the best deal aim for the set three-course dinner at €21.95.
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Round Tower & High Crosses
The Protestant church of St Columba, west of the town centre, has a 30m-high 10th-century round tower on the southern side. It's without its conical roof, but it's known to date back at least as far as 1076, when the high king of Tara was murdered in its confined apartments.
Inside the churchyard are four 9th- century high crosses in various states of repair. The West Cross, at the far end of the compound from the entrance, is the stump of a decorated shaft, which has scenes of the baptism of Jesus, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Judgement of Solomon on the eastern face, and Noah's ark on the western face. All that is left of the North Cross is the bowl-shaped base ston…
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Market Cross
Until 1996 the Market Cross had stood for centuries in Cross St, at the heart of the town centre. Besides inviting the pious admiration of the faithful, the cross was used as a gallows in the aftermath of the 1798 revolt; the British garrison hanged rebels from the crosspiece, one on each arm so the cross wouldn't fall over. But what a thousand years of foul weather and the sacrilegious British couldn't do, a careless bus driver did in 1996 and with one bad turn the cross was toppled. It was eventually repaired and re-erected.
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