Absence makes Kells grow fonder of re-opened heritage centre

The Kells Heritage Centre, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year, is not alone a major tourist attraction for the town, but also an important community facility. When it closed for a short period earlier this year due to budget constraints, its absence was keenly felt in the town and its re-opening in April was greeted with delight by locals and tourists alike. Its role in the local community is an important one. Housing art exhibitions, a small gift shop and very popular coffee shop, it also hosts a variety of events such as children's arts programmes, local history evenings and Irish classes and has played an active role in local festivals. "It is very important that people realise it is a facility for the people of Kells," says centre manager, Amelia Reilly. The Kells Heritage Centre is housed in the beautifully restored former Kells Courthouse and contains a multi-media exhibition and tourist information point, which gives an insight into the crafts and cultures of monastic Ireland. A facsimile copy of the famous Book of Kells is on display and the famous 10th century Market Cross is located on the grounds. After almost ten years in operation, the heritage centre has become an integral part of the local community as well as playing an important role in explaining Kells rich monastic past to tourists and locals. Earlier this year it suffered a major setback when town council budget constraints meant it had to close for some of the winter months, the first time the facility ever had to close. However, it re-opened in April and is once again playing a vital role in the local community. Admission to the centre and all its exhibitions are free to encourage people to go along. Amelia Reilly explains that "We want people to come in and see everything the centre has to offer." There is a sign in the centre inviting visitors to make a donation towards the upkeep of the centre and funds are also raised through school field trips and other initiatives. The centre gives visitors an insight into what the town was like from the fifth century to the present day. The exhibition, entitled 'The Splendour of Ireland', gives an insight into the crafts and culture of monastic Ireland and entices the visitor to explore the various sites of interest throughout Kells. There is particular emphasis on the town's links with St Colmcille and the Book of Kells and the fact that Kells was once the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. A wonderful scale model of the monastic site as it was in early medieval times, combined with an aerial picture of the town today shows just how much of the ancient sites remain, as well as explaining how the town would have looked and how it was run between 1,500 and 1,000 years ago. Visitors to the centre receive a brochure of the Kells Heritage Trail, which guides them on a walk around the town to see the various historic sites. A short audio visual presentation puts the entire history of Kells into perspective and the exhibition includes very true facsimiles of important local artefacts, including a fine replica of the Book of Kells, which was gifted to the town by Trinity College. An explanatory DVD accompanying the Book of Kells allows visitors to view each page at their leisure. "The building itself is an important part of the town's history. Designed by Irish architect, Francis Johnston, it was built as a gift to Kells from Lord Headfort in 1801," Amelia explains. It operated as a courthouse until the late 1990s when the Courts Service moved the local court to Bective Street and the Town Council decided to refurbish the building as a heritage centre. The famous 10th century scriptural Market Cross, which was a feature of the centre of Kells for generations, was moved to the grounds of the Heritage Centre around that time, following an incident in which it was hit by a bus. A number of new initiatives have been undertaken by the centre this year, including new walks around the town which are advertised at the centre, which take in sites like the famine graveyard and the Tower of Loyd. The Robert Adams designed ballroom at nearby Headfort House was beautifully restored this year and the heritage centre, in conjunction with the Headfort estate will be providing guided tours, by arrangement on specific dates throughout the year. Another initiative involves a package for people coming to Kells for family re-unions. "We can provide them with booklets with the family name on the front and details of the area through different times. It would include information of what was happening in their area at the time which would have caused their families to emigrate," Amelia explains. Just last week, the McNamee family, whose ancestors emigrated to the US in the 1800's when they were tenants of Lord Headfort, visited the centre and were taken on a guided tour of Headfort House. Amelia Reilly says that the success of their school field trip programme this year has been wonderful. "It has been one of our busiest years and we have had a lot of great feedback. Schoolchildren get a chance to see the history they are learning at school come to life," she said. While catering for tourists is very important for the centre, Amelia says that the involvement of the local community is of paramount importance. She urges local groups who have events coming up to inform the centre who will publicise those events at the tourist information point. She points out that the centre is also used for art exhibitions each month and during July a mixed group of local artists have a wonderful exhibition there. "We held a number of events during festival week including art for children, history talks, bodhran lessons and guided tours of the town." The gift shop includes an exceptional local history section, with many of the books written by local authors. Amelia is particularly proud of the art exhibitions which changes monthly, and after this months exhibition by several local artists, there will be a quilting exhibition in August.