the book of kells was produced by monks of st. columba's order of iona, scotland, but exactly where it was made is disputed. theories regarding composition range from its creation on the island of iona to kells, ireland, to lindisfarne, britain. it was most likely created, at least in part, at iona and then brought to kells to keep it safe from viking raiders who first struck iona in 795 ce, shortly after their raid on lindisfarne priory in britain.