Perhaps one of the oldest surviving Insular gospel, is the Book of Durrow or the Codex Usserianus 1 (Trinity college MSA.4.5.57). It is the earliest example of the Insular illustrations and it's layout. The text in the Book of Durrow, consists of prefatory pages and Vulgate version of the gospels.
Around the 650-675, it is not sure where the manuscript was written whether at Durrow Abbey, County Offaly, Ireland, or Northumbria, England. Regardless the place where the manuscript was written it was found in Durrow Abbey. Here a cumdach (silver covering) was made to protect the manuscript. This inscription was added to the text; "the prayer and benediction of St. Columbkille be upon Flann, the son of Malachi, King of Ireland, who caused this cover to be made."
The manuscript remained at Durrow, till the 16th century, the abbey came to an end.
The legend says that, the manuscript next custodian had put the manuscript had put the manuscript in his watering trough, because he believed that it could save his cattle from sickness.
Around 1662, the Bishop of Clogher & Vice-Chancellor of Trinity College, Henry Jones, presented the book to the College Library, where one can still find it today.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
CODEX 99 (2003) The Book of Durrow (Online) Available from: www.codex99.com/typography/33.html (Accessed: 19 May 2013)
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