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In the 9th century, In a remote part of Ireland, lies Kells Abbey, where Brendan, a bright and good-natured 12-year-old orphan lives. Raised by his uncle, the authoritarian Abbot, Brendan is hard at work with the other monks to fortify the abbey walls as protection against Viking raids, while neglecting their work on illuminating manuscripts.  Brendan is called to a new life of adventure with the arrival of Brother Aidan, a celebrated master illuminator and keeper of an extraordinary but unfinished Illuminated Book. Brother Aidan takes him under his wing and initiates Brendan into the art of illumination, awakening a prodigious talent. The Abbot however, obsessed with their security, does not want Brendan to be distracted from the construction work. Brendan knows he must finish the magnificent Book. He has to overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him for the first time beyond the Abbey's walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide in the gloom. It is here that an ancient evil Serpent God protects the crystal Brendan needs. It is also here where he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young white wolf/girl, who will help him along the way.Seeing the world through new eyes with the help of the crystal, Brendan’s imagination is unleashed. But with the terrifying Viking hordes closing in, can Brendan’s artistic vision illuminate the darkness and brutality of the age and offer another kind of protection against barbarians?The Book of Kells, one of the masterpieces of European art and Ireland's national treasure, survives to this day. It is exhibited in Trinity College, Dublin where the beautiful and intricate Celtic designs of the Book still astound many thousands of visitors every year.

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