The Book of Kells is second only to St. Patrick as an Irish icon. A project launched in 2011 will bring it out of art, academic and literary circles and make it more popular.

Half a million visitors a year gawk at the open volumes displayed at Trinity College, University of Dublin, unable to believe it is the work of humans. The lavish, intricate, minute, illuminated art and calligraphy, overwhelms even the Holy Script.

When “evil thieves”…