I have lived
through many ages.
Through the eyes
of salmon,
deer
and wolf.
I have seen the Northmen
invading Ireland,
destroying all
in search of gold.
I have seen suffering
in the darkness.
Yet, I have seen
beauty thrive
in the most
fragile of places.
I have seen the book.
The book that
turned darkness
into light.
Brendan,
don't let her get away.
Come on.
Nice goosy,
goosy, goosy...
Hmm.
Stand back,
I will get her.
Which way?
Brendan,
that scaffolding
is not steady!
Oh!
Oh!
Brendan.
Coming.
Brendan.
Brendan.
Are you hurt?
I...
Ooh!
Keep it quiet, Brendan,
or the abbot will hear.
I'm sorry,
but we have
to do this.
It will all be
over in a minute.
One, two,
three, four, five.
Now, that wasn't
so hard, was it?
Lucky bird.
Your feathers will
become the tools
from which we create
immortal pages of sacred text.
Abbot,
I explain for you.
We tried to catch goose
and she run very fast
and I fall in the mud.
Forgive us, Abbot.
Uh...
Brendan, where are
those plans I asked for?
The plans?
I left them
in the scriptorium.
Bring them
to the tower.
Yes, Uncle.
Tomorrow, you will go back
to work on the wall.
Dawn till evening bell.
Brother Leonardo,
clean yourself up
for pity's sake.
I don't know why
there are artists in Kells
when all that man
wants us to do
is to build
this crazy wall.
Yes, that is all
the man cares about,
nothing else,
and you continue
to defend him, Brendan.
Uncle just wants to
protect us
from the outside.
When the Northmen
come to Kells,
they'll make no distinction
between young and old. So...
"Prepare or
meet your doom!"
You just don't understand.
But, Brendan,
you've never been
outside these walls.
I don't have to
go outside to know
how dangerous it is.
Where have you
all been?
We went to get these,
for you.
You should have
seen him,
Brother Sergei.
He took a flying dive,
like a beautiful swan.
It is not funny.
The Abbot sees us.
He is not happy
because we are not
working on the wall.
Now enough of that!
What about the books?
Does he not find them?
If there were no books,
all knowledge would
be lost for eternity.
Uh...
We cannot
only build walls.
The people must have books,
so that they may have hope.
If we had a true
master illuminator,
we would do such
splendid work.
Let us pray that one
will be delivered
to us one day.
Let us pray!
Surely you don't
need a master.
Your work is
the finest I've seen.
Thank you, Brendan.
But we are mere scribblers
next to true masters.
True masters? Such as...
Such as
Brother Aidan of Iona.
Aidan the Wise.
Aidan is indeed
the great one.
Who is the Brother Aidan?
A sage.
The wisest one
of them all.
The perfect illuminator.
Well, where is he then?
He lives on a tiny
island called Iona.
There is an abbey
on the island
where he works
on a magnificent book.
The Book of Iona.
The book was begun
200 years ago,
under the orders
of none other than
Saint Columbkille himself.
The Book of Iona
outshines all others
because of the miracle
of Columbkille's third eye.
No, not because
of his third eye,
because of his three hands
with 12 fingers on each.
That's not true!
He had a third eye,
not a third hand.
Have you not heard about
the Eye of Columbkille?
Of course!
But that was for
making the prophecies.
His third hand was
for beginning the book.
Enough!
Just tell the boy
about Brother Aidan.
His writings are
said to glow from the pages,
as though they are light.
Sinners have been blinded
while glancing upon the pages.
For to gaze upon the book
is to gaze upon heaven itself!
The Book of Iona.
But where is Iona?
It is far, far
away in the sea.
Like all islands should be.
A beautiful place
where the illuminators
do not have to build walls.
But the Abbot
says that islands are
too easy to attack.
Brendan,
are you still here?
You'd better bring
the Abbot those plans,
or you'll be
in big trouble!
Uncle!
Hurry, boy!
Here they are, Uncle.
Brendan, how am
I to trust you with
responsibility
when you continue
to disappoint me?
One day, you will take
control of this abbey.
Yet it takes you
several hours to
fulfill a simple task.
I'm sorry.
The monks were
talking of Iona.
I dreamt it was destroyed.
It was so real, Uncle!
It is real, Brendan.
One day that horror
will come to us.
That is exactly why
we must prepare ourselves.
This section of the wall
is supported by three pillars.
Here, here and here.
Uncle, someone has arrived!
He has a white cat!
Another victim of
the Northmen, no doubt.
Now, let's see.
Oh, no,
no not that far.
But we've the legs
walked off ourselves
all the same.
But, please, from where?
A very long way?
Oh, yes, 'twas
long enough all right.
Ah, but when you have
this little one
to keep up with,
well, it doesn't
take half the time.
Isn't that right,
Pangur Ban?
Will you
be staying long?
Welcome
to Kells, Brother.
Hmm?
Abbot Cellach.
Peace be with you!
Brothers, welcome to Kells
one of the great illuminators
of our times.
Must be a stone mason.
Brother Aidan of Iona.
Now, one question
at a time.
As Columbkille used to say,
"Questions do not
burn your tongue
"if you wait to ask them."
Welcome to Kells,
Brother Aidan!
It is this way.
Come on, everyone.
Hello, welcome to Kells.
Hey, wait!
We were only
just talking of you
and of the book.
I think
we are tempting fate,
this is true.
Oh! Fine size of
a place, isn't it?
Mmm.
Good clean air,
fine light coming
from those windows.
Brother!
Very good indeed. Yes.
Is that where
you keep the book?
Hmm?
Uh, is that
where you keep the...
And who might you be?
A very short
Brother I see.
The person who is short
of stature is never
as short of questions.
And of what interest
is the book to you?
Uh, well, the Brothers
were talking
and they said
that Saint Columbkille
himself began it.
Brothers,
now that you've
greeted Brother Aidan,
I must take him to
see the important work
we're doing to fortify Kells.
You all have work to do.
The plans are
in my work room.
Ah, but you see,
I was thinking
I could stay here...
Right this way, Brother.
Lad!
Hmm?
Find some food for, uh...
You see,
I am determined to
complete the fortifications
within two years.
So, you're Pangur Ban.
Well, I'm...
Hey, wait.
I'm supposed to feed you.
Wait!
Pangur Ban!
Pangur Ban!
You should
not have come here.
The Northmen will
have followed you...
Was I to stay
and be killed?
I escaped the Vikings
and left them far behind,
Brother Cellach.
Sorry, I mean,
Abbot Cellach.
The book is saved
and I mean to complete it.
Yes.
Well, we have
more pressing things
to complete here.
You mean your wall?
Not my wall, Aidan.
A wall to save civilization.
A wall to save your book!
Pagans, Crom worshippers.
It is with the strength
of our walls
that they will come
to trust the strength
of our faith.
You were always good
at the old drawing,
Cellach.
Yes.
Well, if you'll excuse me,
I have a lot to attend to.
No wall can stop
the Northmen, Abbot.
When they come,
all we can do is run
and hope that
we are fast enough.
Come on, Pangur.
Pangur!
I don't mean
the book any harm.
All I've ever seen
is inside the walls of Kells.
If I could just see
one page...
Please.
Oh. Mmm.
Well!
If it isn't
the little Brother
with the big questions.
I didn't mean to...
I understand.
You got bored eavesdropping
on the Abbot's
private conversation
and decided to rummage
through my things.
Oh, no,
that's not it!
Calm down, lad, calm down.
I won't tell on you.
Maybe I...
The Brothers said
that the sinners are blinded
if they glance at the book.
So maybe I shouldn't.
Is that what you really
believe will happen?
There's nothing
in this life but mist,
is there, lad?
It's your decision,
no one else's.
The cover is not
the real treasure.
Open it!
The work of angels.
"The work of the angels."
Hear that, Pangur?
I didn't know
they made angels
as funny looking as me.
Maybe the boy
has gone blind.
I thought the very same
when I first saw it.
But it is only the work
of mere mortals, I'm afraid,
like me or you.
The book is a beacon
in these dark days
of the Northmen.
Do you want to see
the most beautiful page?
The one that will turn
darkness into light?
It is to be
the Chi-Rho page.
But it hasn't
been made yet.
No, but it will become
the most glorious page
of the entire book.
Tell me, Brendan,
would you like
to help me?
Oh, yes, please!
I help the Brothers
find quills all the time.
Calm down, calm down,
little Brother.
Now, to start with, you can
help me gather some of these,
from an old oak tree.
What is it?
It's a humble
little berry,
but it makes
the deepest emerald green
ink you will ever see.
If you help me
get a dozen or so
from the forest,
I'll show you
how to make it.
So, come on!
What's keeping you?
I can't go.
I'm not allowed
outside the walls.
It's too dangerous.
It is dangerous.
On Iona,
I lost my brothers
to attackers
from the outside.
Now, I have only the book
to remember them by.
But if my brothers
were here now,
they would tell you
that you will learn
more in the woods
from trees and rocks
than in any other place.
You will see miracles.
And that is something
the Abbot knew
a long time ago.
I've never seen
anything like it, Pangur.
I really want to
help Brother Aidan.
I think I could get
those ink berries
all by myself.
I could go into the forest.
Wouldn't Brother Aidan
be surprised?
Oh. But the Abbot...
I'd be back before
he'd even miss me.
But what if I get lost
in the dark?
No!
I should never
go out there!
Oh.
If I keep thinking
of the book,
I won't be afraid
of the dark.
And I'm sure I won't
have to go that far.
Right, so, Pangur Ban,
tomorrow I'll go
into the forest!
Pangur!
Oh!
Of course, it might help
if I knew what
an oak tree looked like.
Maybe we'd better go home.
Was it this way?
Do you remember?
Don't panic, Pangur.
We just have to find
the way back before dark.
Pangur!
Oh, no, it's hard enough.
Is this your cat?
Well?
I've heard about
creatures like you.
You're a fairy!
What are you doing
in my forest?
You've come to spoil it,
haven't you?
You were probably
sent here by your family
to get food, weren't you?
Well, you can go right back
where you came from.
If you don't, I'll make
the wolves get you!
No!
Uh... I didn't mean to.
Look, I'm sorry,
all right?
I'm not here to get
food for my family.
I'm here to get
things to make ink.
I don't have a family,
and we have food in Kells.
So I wouldn't come here
for it anyway.
I was just a bit lost.
You have no family?
Uh, no.
No mother?
I'm alone, too.
Oh!
If this is your forest,
you must know
everything about it.
Of course.
No. Wait!
Hello?
Shh, not so loud!
Go away!
No, wait, please!
Do you know where
I can find these?
Yes.
But you can't eat those.
I don't want to eat them.
They're for ink.
What is ink?
It's for the book.
For making pictures.
Liquid color,
you put it on pages.
Well, like leaves,
it's hard to explain,
I suppose
you'd have to see it.
I don't know
what you're talking about,
and I don't want to know.
But, Brother Aidan...
I will help you find
the things you want,
on one condition.
You and your pet
must promise to never come
into my forest again.
Uh...
All right, then.
We promise.
Come on then,
I'll ask the forest
where they are.
Ask the... What?
Hey, wait!
My name's Brendan.
What's yours?
It's a miracle,
just like Aidan said.
Aidan is my friend.
I'm helping him make
the most incredible book
in the whole world.
He says it will turn
darkness into light.
Wait until you see it!
Wait until you see
the rest of my forest.
You're fast.
Yes, I'm the fastest.
So, where are
the berries then?
You have climbed
a tree before,
haven't you?
Uh...
Yes, of course.
It's easy.
Come on so!
Oh.
Hmm?
Saved your life,
second time today.
I thought you knew
how to climb trees.
I do. Smaller ones.
Yeah, like bushes.
Don't look down. Come on!
Shh!
Look!
One beetle
recognizes another.
Whoa!
Come on.
Open your eyes
and I'll tell
you my name.
Aisling.
And this is my forest.
Hmm? Oh.
I asked them
not to sting you.
Here's what
you're looking for.
But they're
not really berries.
Ugh! They look like
boar droppings.
They're kind of stinky, too.
If you're finished,
it's time to go back down.
Back down. Hmm.
A bit left.
No, wait!
Don't lean on that...
...branch.
I'm sorry it took
so long to come down.
Oh. Except for
the last part.
We'd better go now.
I know a secret way
to get you home.
Come on!
Uh...
Look!
Brendan?
Brendan?
What are you doing?
Come away!
This is a place
of suffering.
Suffering?
What do you mean?
Just come away!
It's too dangerous.
Surely it can't be more
dangerous than climbing
an oak tree.
It is the cave
of the Dark One.
Crom Cruach?
But Crom Cruach's
only a story for children.
The Abbot of Kells says
that you shouldn't be
afraid of imaginary things.
It's not imagined.
It's waiting
in the darkness.
Waiting for someone
to awaken it.
Aisling, you're only
scaring yourself.
The Abbot says that
that's all pagan nonsense.
There's no such thing
as Crom Cruach.
Crom Cruach.
Don't speak its name!
You're really frightened?
Aisling!
Are you hurt?
What was that?
I told you.
Crom!
Brendan?
Hmm?
You can visit the forest
again, if you like.
And Pangur can come, too.
Ooh!
But, uh, on Iona
we always arranged them...
This is not Iona.
The scriptorium will
be arranged according
to my instructions.
But it's not a good...
It will be as I say.
Brother Aidan!
I found them! I...
Well, Brendan.
It's about time
we saw you today.
Where have you been? Hmm?
I'm listening.
Where were you?
I... I went into the forest.
Just for a little while,
not very long.
Just to...
It was for Brother Aidan...
Brendan.
Have I not warned you
enough about what lies
outside these walls?
Yes, but...
Yet you disobey me.
I know,
but for the book...
Brendan.
You are never to
leave the abbey again
without my permission.
Uncle, if you
see the book...
Do you understand?
Yes, Uncle.
Good.
Now, come along,
there are matters to be
tended to in the workroom.
Look!
Huh? What?
I found them.
You did? So you did!
I did have a little help.
From a friend in the forest.
Ah.
Well, there's nothing
you can't do when you have
friends to help you, huh?
Now, let's see.
Yes. Yes, I believe
these will do very nicely.
From tiny berries
do great images
come to life.
Come along!
Hmm. Hmm!
A good one...
Lot of smoke.
That's a good sign.
It is?
Yes.
Ah, beautiful.
From a stinky berry.
Making ink is all very well,
but it is useless
without one of these.
I'm not...
I'm not allowed to...
There's no one
but us here now.
Just you
and your imagination.
Afraid?
Me? No.
I'm not afraid
of imaginary things.
Keep going.
Finish what you start.
Gold!
Not bad, huh?
I'd say he could
do it right enough.
Do what?
I must confess, my boy,
I haven't been
completely honest
with you.
I cannot do
the Chi-Rho page.
My eyes have become too old
and my hands unsteady.
- But you said...
- Brendan.
You should be the one
to do that page!
Me? No! I can never.
I won't... There must
be somebody else.
You have to do it.
I would ruin it.
- Brendan.
- No, no, no.
Of course you can do it.
You found those berries,
you've certainly developed
a steady hand.
Brendan!
Even before I came, you'd
already learned much from
the other Brothers' work.
You've only to
unleash your imagination!
Brendan!
I have to go.
Where have you
been so early?
Come along, there's
much work to be done.
I don't know, Pangur.
Something I cannot see
stops him.
If he is ever to light up
the Chi-Rho page,
he'll have to turn around
and stare whatever it is
in the face!
Brendan!
We're moving the scaffolding
to the west wall.
Hurry along now!
Well, I think
you're ready to learn
Columbkille's secret.
Mmm.
The mesmerizing detail.
Of course,
you'll need another eye.
Now, once I find
the crystal...
Brother...
...it'll open up
a whole new world.
A tiny wonder.
Columbkille instructed
that the crystal
should never be used
unless the work
is worthy of it.
It has not been
used since Iona.
What's a crystal?
This is not a crystal,
it's the crystal!
The Eye of Columbkille.
Columbkille created over
300 books in his lifetime.
By his own hand.
On his deathbed,
he prayed that
his apprentice
got a vision as clear
and wonderful as his own.
Then, as he drew
his last breath,
it dropped from his hand.
The Eye of Columbkille.
Columbkille would
want it to go to you.
Where is it?
Sorry, Pangur.
Have you seen it?
Where could it have...
It's lost.
It's all lost!
Where did you
last have it?
I don't understand.
If I could show
the crystal to you,
all would become clear.
But...
I...
I can still continue
my training, can't I?
Have you ever studied
the tiny pattern
on a greenfly's wing?
No.
And you never will
without the crystal.
What if we pray
for a miracle?
Like Columbkille did?
Some say that before
the crystal became known
as the Eye of Columbkille,
it had an ancient name.
Named for the creature
that Columbkille won
the crystal from
deep inside one of
its dwelling places.
Crom Cruach!
It was called
the Eye of Crom Cruach.
Crom!
I can't tell you which parts
of this story are true
and what parts are
shrouded by the mists.
Oh, there's nothing
in this life but mist.
We're only here
for a short while.
Don't worry, Pangur.
I won't be alone.
Oh!
You've been forbidden
to leave the abbey.
Now you are also forbidden
to enter the scriptorium.
Please, Uncle,
you don't understand.
Oh, I understand
perfectly well!
No more excursions,
no more scriptorium
and no more Brother Aidan.
No.
What did you say?
I can't do that.
I can't give up
the book, Uncle.
If you looked at just
one page, you'd see why.
You've forgotten
how important it is.
All you want for us
is this wall.
Brother Aidan said
you were an illuminator once.
He said...
That's enough!
If I can't trust you
to stay out of harm's way,
you'll have to remain here
until you see sense.
Cellach, please,
don't blame the boy.
I'll have a talk
with him and...
You'll do no such thing.
You can't...
Brother Tang will
bring him his meals
and once there is
nothing left here
to distract him...
Let me keep
the book, Cellach.
It was entrusted to me.
Have it then.
But on the condition
that you leave Kells with
the first thaw of spring.
Brendan.
Aisling!
How can I get you out?
I don't know.
The tower is locked.
And my door is bolted
from the outside.
The key is in
the Abbot's room.
Maybe you can take
a message to Brother Aidan.
You must go where I cannot
Pangur Ban, Pangur Ban
Pangur Ban, Pangur Ban
You must go where I cannot
Pangur Ban, Pangur Ban
Why did the Abbot
put you in there?
Because I disobeyed him.
Why?
Look!
The Eye of Crom!
No, it's a crystal.
I think there's one
in the Dark One's cave.
I have to go there.
No, Brendan,
it's tricking you.
You should have
stayed in your tower.
Crom Cruach
took my people,
it took my mother.
It takes everything.
You will die!
Aisling, if I don't try,
the book will never
be complete.
The book.
All right then,
I will help you.
Aisling!
This place is hurting you.
You must go back.
I'll find some other way.
I... I must help you.
Please, Aisling, go now!
Turn the darkness into light.
Oh.
Aisling!
Aisling!
Uh...
Old fools! Oh!
Old fools should
learn to keep quiet.
Unless young fools
want to listen.
Ha! You're here!
How... How did you...
How did you get out
of the tower?
You must go back
before the Abbot finds out.
Look, look, this...
This is not the place
for you, lad,
there is nothing
for you here.
But you are here,
the book is here
and the Eye is here.
How is this possible?
It was destroyed!
There is more than
one story about the Eye.
There is more than
one dwelling place
for the Dark One.
And he had more
than one eye.
You entered one of
the Dark One's caves?
You can't find out
everything from books,
you know.
And I think
I read that once.
Right, then,
it is time to begin.
Your breakfast, Abbot.
Take it to Brendan.
See if...
See if he has
come to his senses.
Ooh!
Mmm.
It's like heaven, no?
Heaven on Earth.
Please... Please, Abbot,
it's my fault.
You little fool!
The Northmen are upon us,
and here you are drawing!
We have one day
before the Vikings
attack Kells!
The gate won't hold.
We must...
We must run from here!
The gate will hold!
You will lead the new
refugees into the chapel.
They can seek comfort there
until the attackers move on.
Tang, tell villagers
to stay in their huts.
Cellach.
You'll be safe in here
with your precious book.
No, not yet!
Stay inside!
Tang! Open the door!
Into the tower!
One at a time!
The steps aren't
strong enough!
Tang,
there are too many!
It's too late.
Close the door!
Brendan!
Ink! We have to make ink!
Brendan, wait, wait, wait.
We can't...
Hurry!
Uncle!
No!
No! We must save him!
Quickly, Brendan,
where is the secret
passage to the forest?
We have to save him!
We can't help him now.
Brendan.
We... We cannot stop.
I have to go back.
The Northmen
left no one on Iona,
they will leave
no one in Kells.
My uncle.
He lived
to protect you.
The only way
he knew how.
Now, I must protect you
for Cellach
and for the book.
Gold!
Brendan!
Hmm?
Aisling!
We have to keep
running, Brendan,
and hope that
we are fast enough.
He's alive!
I'm so tired.
Tang, leave me be.
Please.
Leave me be.
You are the Abbot of Kells!
You must get up!
Mmm-hmm.
Oh!
The book
was never meant to be
hidden away behind walls,
locked away from the world
which inspired its creation.
Brendan, you must take
the book to the people
so that they may have hope.
Let it light the way
in these dark days
of the Northmen.
Aisling?
Aisling?
I'm so tired.
Please, Abbot,
you must take your rest.
Rest? With our most
important treasure
destroyed?
But how was I to know?
How could I know
he would perish?
Please, Abbot.
He was only a boy.
Angel of Darkness!
Not yet!
I need time!
Uncle!
Brendan?
It is a dream.
This is no dream.
I'm so happy
to find you here.
I thought I'd lost you
a long time ago.
Brendan,
you were only a boy.
All those innocents lost.
All my fault.
Please, Uncle,
do not distress yourself.
You don't understand.
I have no time,
Brendan.
You were right.
About Kells,
about Aidan,
about the book.
I shouldn't have.
This is all
I have left.
It is the only comfort
I have in this world.
Brother Aidan was right.
And I tried to stop him.
Aidan never paid you
much heed, Uncle.
Well, I suppose not.
Brother Aidan lived to
see his work passed on
and completed.
The Book of Iona!
The Book of Kells?
The Book of Kells.