Why is Kells called Kells? Thanks.
Heather

If you mean Kells, Co. Meath (famous for the Book of Kells, its monastery & high cross etc), I think it's a convoluted anglicisation of the Irish placename Ceanannas ("Great Residence"?).

There's also another couple of places in Ireland called Kells, but I'm not sure whether their names derive from the same Irish placename or not.

There is a village in Co. Antrim called Kells, too. Its name in Irish is "Na Cealla," meaning the monastic cells or churches. Apparently, it was a hermitage for the nearby monastary of Connor, so it was also called "Díseart na Choinnire," or Connor's hermitage.

Source: Patrick McKay, A Dictionary of Ulster Place Names, The Queens University of Belfast, 1999.