1. Learning Outcomes: On completion of the
topic ‘’Irish Illuminated Manuscripts 6th-9th C’
students should be able to:
Identify an Illuminated Manuscript
List the materials and methods used
Distinguish different decorative styles and
techniques of Illuminated Manuscripts
Date: 20 10 2011 : All printed pages may be downloaded
Celtic Manuscripts
workbook
 Book of Durrow
 Book of Kells
Understand the Christian context that produced
these works
Recognise the shared motifs used in Metallurgy /
Stonework / Illuminated manuscripts
Construct a simple Celtic design
This booklet could be used:
Concurrently with the topics
As homework exercises
As a revision resource
CATHACH 6th C. ‘By permission of Royal Irish Academy’ c.
Cathach

2. Page 2
ORDINARY LEVEL
Examination papers from 2005—2011
3. ‘The Temptation of Christ’ from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompany-
ing sheet.
Answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Sketch and describe two types of decoration found on this page.
(b) Write a short note on the materials used to make The Book of Kells.
(c) Name and give a short description of one other Irish manuscript that you have stud-
ied. 2005
Use sketches to illustrate your answer. 2005
2. The Chi-Rho page from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompanying sheet.
Answer (a), (b) and ©
) Sketch and describe two different types of decoration found on this page.
(b) Describe the materials and techniques used to produce the Book of Kells.
(c) Name and give a brief description of one other page from the Book of Kells.
Use sketches to illustrate your answer. 2007
3. The Virgin and Child page from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompany-
ing sheet.
Answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Describe and discuss the figures on this page.
(b) Describe and discuss the abstract decoration on this page.
(c) Give some general information about the Book of Kells.
Use sketches to illustrate your answer.2011
Copyright approvals:
These images are for single use only and may not be downloaded or
photocopied without prior permission from appropriate sources
Royal Irish Academy The Cathach www.ria.ie
Trinity College Archives DigitalResources@tcd.ie
Front cover Book of Durrow, Book of Kells
ancient-celts.com citrinitas.com art-imagery.com
Puzzle All Star Puzzles chad@thewhipkey.com
EXPANDING THE TOPIC outside the classroom
 Visit shops and record products that use Celtic motifs, jewellery,
tourist shops, spot products that use a Celtic font .
 Write students’ names in Celtic Uncial font and decorate them
using Celtic motifs and hang as a wall border around the classroom
 Use Celtic Calligraphy in the ‘Craft’ exam
 Visit the exhibition in TCD ‘ Turning Darkness into Light’
 http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/
worksheets can be downloaded to suit all secondary levels
 You tube ‘ The Secret of Kells’ (2-3 MINUTES)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2NqV6501YMw&list=FLJi4cXQCVQDKEQTWsf2ilwg&index=11
 This is a short extract beautifully illustrated and could be used as an
introduction to the topic.

3. Page 18
Trace the use of colour from the Cathach 6th C.
Book of Durrow 7th C and Book of Kells 8th C.
CATHACH 6C.
BOOK OF DURROW 7C.
BOOK OF KELLS 8C.
Page 3
2. The decoration of the Book of Durrow displays evidence that it was influenced by the
patterns and motifs found on stone and metal from the pre-Christian period.
Discuss this statement with reference to the illustration on the accompanying sheet,
and
describe and discuss one other page from any manuscript of your choice.
Illustrate your answer. Higher 2006
Ordinary: Metalwork/Neolithic
Higher Level Exam
3. The pages illustrated on the accompanying sheet are from two Irish illuminated
manuscripts. St. MATHEW [Durrow] CHI Rho Book of Kells
Name the manuscripts and describe and compare both pages referring to layout, im-
agery, design, colour and symbolism.
and
Discuss briefly the function of these manuscripts and the conditions that enabled their
production.
Illustrate your answer. 2008
Ordinary: Pre Christian metalwork/stone crosses
No illumination Q. in 2009
3. Discuss the stylised treatment of the human figure in Irish Manuscripts such as the
Book of Durrow or the Book of Kells. Refer in your answer to one named page from
either book.
and
Discuss briefly how such manuscripts were made and explain what their original func-
tion was.
. Discuss the stylistic developments in early Christian manuscripts from the Cathach to
the Book of Kells. In your answer make reference to the layout, the use of colour and the
approaches to decoration. 2011
and
Name and describe briefly one page from any manuscript of your choice.
Illustrate your answer.

4. Page 4
Terms used in exam
questions 2005-2011
Stylized
Sketch
Describe
Decoration
Materials
Techniques
Manuscript
Figure
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W
rite or draw
your
understanding of
these terms here
Select one design technique ie. Spirals, Embossing,Knotwork
and trace its development from metalwork into Illuminated
Manuscripts.
Page 17
Annotate every detail

5. Page 16
M Monks, manuscript
A Animal designs ( Zoomorphic)
N New Testament (B o K)
U
S
C
R
I
P Psalms (Cathach)
T
Alphabet game
At the end of the topic invite students to connect words . eg
Page 5
Pattern
Motif
Imagery
Design
Colour
Symbolism
Imagery
Function
Discuss
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W
rite or draw
your un-
derstanding of these
terms here

6. Page 6
Identify the manuscript from which
this is written
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List 3 decorative styles, refer to
the use of colour also.
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Explain the term
‘diminuendo’
Illustrate with an example
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What is ink gall ink?
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Imagine you have only soot
available to make ink… mix up
a little paste and write your
initial using similar decorative
techniques as seen above
Sketch images from the Illuminated
Manuscripts where shared design motifs have
been used in Metalwork and Stonework of 7th,
8th Century
Page 15
Knot work in Metalwork
Millefiori in Metalwork
Interlacing in Stonework

7. Page 14
Define and illustrate the following terms:
Step patterns triskeles
millefiori
knot work spirals
symmetry
cloisonne filigree
Page 7
What is the difference between a manuscript and a book?
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What is written in the Book Of Durrow?
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When was it written?
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Who wrote it?
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How was it written?
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List the materials used
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Draw a stylised animal as seen in the Book of Durrow here.

8. Page 8
Trace and colour a detail from a ‘CARPET PAGE’ from
the Book of Durrow.Describe the colours, and annotate
your image
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this page?————————————————————
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Select a section from the
Book Of Durrow that
contains
Strap work
Spirals
Animal decoration
[zoomorphic]
Annotate your selection
Arrest of Christ
Page 13

9. Page 12
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE;
Match the keywords with the appropriate column
Page 9
Portrait of Christ, Decoration, Pigment, Colour Styl-
ised, Knotwork, Triskeles, Spirals,Capital letter, Ma-
juscule or Uncial, Calligraphy,Vellum, Ink, Quill,
Psalms, Zoomorphic, Figurative, Symbol, Religious,
Bible, Carpet Page, Evangelist, New Testament,
Scribe, Orpiment ,Red lead ,Latin, Gospels
Materials used Methods, Designs Content

10. Page 10
How to construct simple ‘Step’ Pattern
As Seen in the Book of Durrow
Using a six square grid from graph paper,
construct a step pattern to make a border
for a greeting card. Use 4 colours to high-
light your pattern
Business Name
Page 11
Write one Latin word from the book of Kells
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Look at the 3 representations of the letter N, fromThe
Cathach 6C. Book of Durrow 7C. Book of Kells 8C.
Describe how each was decorated, annotate each image