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Please Note: Ralph Stanton ee The Book of Kells Fund facsimile.

The ancient Book of Kells says to the modern world that when Europe writhed in the agonies of the dark ages, that bright green island off Europe's western shore was a land of saints and scholars in full flower.

The Book of Kells is believed to have been completed in the eighth century and sequestered in the Monastery at Ceanannas Mor (Kells) to escape viking raids. It was stolen and recovered in 1006; its jewelled studded gold covered binding removed along with the names of the scribes and artists. It was rebound in white leather.

In 1539 King Henry VIII dissolved all monasteries and seized all their property. The last Abbot of Kells, Richard Plunket fiddled with the order keeping The Book of Kells aside. In the seventeenth century, England's King James I commissioned Archbishop Ussher to collect all Ireland's antiquities for the King's collection. Once again the order was fiddled. The Book stayed in Ireland where it was finally bequested to Trinity College in 1661 ... where it remains under guard.

In the year 1990, fourteen hundred and eighty indistinguishable facsimiles of this great work of medieval art and scholarship will be distributed to libraries, museums, and collectors world wide in the first ever complete reproduction allowed. It is a tribute to the University of Dublin that they are willing to share Ireland's national treasure with the world.

The Book of Kells Committee of Vancouver was established to raise $20,400 to install in the Library at UBC one of these limited editions. Since The Book of Kells consists of 340 folios, sponsorship will be divided into 340 equal shares. When the book arrives in Vancouver an elegant display case listing the names of the 340 donors will be ready to receive it in a special ceremony at the University. A gift of sixty dollars to "The Book of Kells Fund - UBC", from each of 340 donors will insure the acquisition. UBC will issue a tax receipt to each donor. Each donor's name along with a personal dedication will go into a donors’ book which will become part of the display. The Donor Book is to be done by Irish Canadian Celtic artist, Aidan Meehan. The deadline for becoming a donor is July 17, 1988. Final payment date is July 31. Donor registration envelopes are available from any of The Book of Kells committee members listed below:

Mrs. B. Perey, Chair, 263-7800 Mrs. V. Stabler, Chair, 733-2624

Mr. J. Kelly, Chair, 736-7858 Dr. R. Gregg, UBC Emeritus, 228-9240 Des Dwyer, M.D., 733-3434 Brian Monks, M.D., 421-1821

Tomas Standeven, (206) 354-6979 Liam Keegan, 464-4289

Patrick V. Cleary, 734-3224 Thomas Phillips, 526-6025

Denis Forrestal, 682-3377 Gerald Mulgrew, 525-2295

James O'Friel, 929-6473 Paddy Donnelly, 272-0905

Gerry Keigher, 589-1270 Sean Byrne, 731-8395

Consultants: Mrs. Anne Yandle, Special Collections, UBC Library Aidan Meehan, Seripsit, Celtic Artist Basil ae Photographer

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ALDAN MOETHAN SCRIPSIT 9