In the same ancient entry this book is spoken of as "the Great Gospel of Columcille," and whether originally belonging to Kells or not, is certainly older than the ninth century, if not indeed as old as Columba. The corresponding _Evangeliarium_ of Durrow, placed now also in Trinity College, Dublin,--"a manuscript" (says Dr. Reeves, p. 276) "approaching, if not reaching to the Columbian age,"--is known from the inscription on the silver-mounted case which formerly belonged to it, to have been "venerable in age, and a reliquary in 916" (p. 327). In the remarkable colophon which closes this manuscript copy of the Evangelists, St. Columba himself is professed to be the copyist or writer of it, the reader being adjured to cherish the memory "Columbae scriptoris _qui hoc scripsi_." In the _Ulster Annals_, under the year 904, there is the following entry regarding Kells: "Violatio Ecclesiae Kellensis per Flannum mac Maelsechnalli contra Donchad filium suum, et alii decollati sunt circa _Oratorium_."--(Dr. O'Conor's _Rerum Hibern. Scriptores_, tom. iv. p. 243.) Is the scene of slaughter thus specialised the Oratory or "House of St. Columb," which is still standing at Kells?[69]] [Footnote 68: I would say yes, beyond question! It was both oratory and house, like that of St. Cuthbert on Farne island, described in the passage quoted _ante_, p. 101, note.--P.] [Footnote 69: St. Colume, as translated by Mageochagan or Macgeoghegan. In the original this would be Columbkille, as in all the other Annals.--P.] [Footnote 70: In treating of the subsequent fate of the old Irish oratories, Dr. Petrie remarks, "Such structures came in subsequent times to be used by devotees as penitentiaries, and to be generally regarded as such exclusively. Nor is it easy to conceive localities as such better fitted, in a religious age, to excite feelings of contrition for past sins, and of expectations of forgiveness, than those which had been rendered sacred by the sanctity of those to whom they had owed their origin. Most certain, at all events, it is, that they came to be regarded as sanctuaries the most inviolable, to which, as our annals show, the people were accustomed to fly in the hope of safety--a hope, however, which was not always realised."--(P. 358.)] [Footnote 71: _Scotichronicon_, lib. v. cap. 36. Goodall's edition, vol. i. p. 286.]