For only the second time in its history, part of the Book of Kells is to leave the State to go on exhibition abroad. One of the four gospels is being lent to Australia's National Gallery next year.
The Gospel of St Luke will travel to Australia some time in February or March and will be on view for three months.
The decision to allow the national treasure to leave Ireland for Canberra follows lengthy discussions between Trinity College, where the book has been kept for over 300 years, and the Department of Arts and Heritage and Australian experts.