Much of the Book of Kells may have been created there, but historians cannot be certain of the exact date and circumstances of its creation.

Despite the constant raids, the monks managed to keep the Book of Kells intact until 1006 when it was stolen from the shrine.

The force of the removal of the cover probably explains the missing illustrations at the beginning and end of the book.

In the 12th century, details of land charters for the abbey were copied onto blank pages of the Book of Kells as was common practice for the period.

Later in the same century, the monastery was dissolved with the abbey becoming a parish church and the Book of Kells continued to be kept there.

[7] Today, the monastic site includes a 10th-century round tower that rises around 28 metres (92 ft) from the original street level.