KELLS, a borough town of Ireland, in the county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 31 miles from Dublin. This place gives title of viscount to the family of Cholmondeley; and near it is Headfort, the magnificent seat of Lord Bective. This town is pleasantly situated on the river Blackwater, and has four fairs. It was anciently called Kenanus, and afterwards Kenlis. In former ages it was one of the most famous cities in the kingdom; and on the arrival of the English was walled and fortified with towers. In 1178 a castle was erected where the market place now is; and opposite to the castle was a cross of an entire stone, ornamented with bas-relief figures and many curious inscriptions in the ancient Irish character. Within a small distance was the church of St Senan; and on the south of the churchyard is a round tower which measures 99 feet from the ground, the roof ending in a point; and near the top were four windows opposite to the cardinal points. There was a celebrated monastery founded here in 550 for regular canons, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It owed its origin to St Columba, to whom the site of the abbey was granted by Dermot Maccarval, or Dermot the son of Kervail king of Ireland. An episcopal see was afterwards erected here, which in the 13th century was united to that of Meath. A priory or hospital was also erected by Walter de Lacie, lord of Meath, in the reign of Richard I. for cross-bearers or crouched friars following the order of St Augustin. There was likewise a perpetual chantry of three priests or chaplains in the parish church of St Columba in Kells to celebrate mass daily; one in the Rood chapel, another in St Mary's chapel, and a third in the chapel of St Catherine the virgin.