Slainte! Ireland's Viking Heritage

Edythe Preet looks at the legacy of the Vikings in Ireland, including influences that linger in Irish winter holiday celebrations.

Edythe Preet,

Irish America Magazine

Published Monday, November 29, 2010, 11:59 AM

Updated Monday, November 29, 2010, 3:29 PM

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JOLIEJO | Dec 06, 2010, 12:13 PM EST

Several years ago, one of my history professors said that in his research, he had actual come across a claim that the Irish red hair gene came from the Vikings. Enjoyed the article.

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knitbea | Dec 05, 2010, 07:06 PM EST

that was fun perhaps the Vikings belong to my Irish ancestry

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manhattan | Dec 05, 2010, 01:25 PM EST

Thank you Ms. Preet for one of the best written parts of irish viking history I have ever read. Hope to see more of your stories on Irish Central. Years ago my cousin was in a village in Denmark where she watched the folk dancers and said "I thought I was at an Irish feish (not sure of the spelling) back home in New York."

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slainte9 | Dec 05, 2010, 12:31 PM EST

No surprise here. My father always claimed we were part Viking. Now the McMani of Phoenix are Irish-American, Italian, Hispanic Vikings. Viking is another word for pirate. Arrrrgh!

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patconrey | Dec 05, 2010, 11:10 AM EST

Some time back, I saw a person of Scandinavian background describing the national character of his country and indicated that he had the blood of vikings flowing in his veins. The interviewer responded that he was of Irish background and he too had Viking blood flowing through his veins!!!

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carrickcourt | Dec 05, 2010, 09:38 AM EST

Now what about those Irish with red hair? Perhaps some research has been done about higher numbers of people with red hair in Ireland being in coastal, Viking, areas of Ireland?

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BallinaLass | Dec 03, 2010, 09:48 AM EST

Very cool article. There is also a Scandinavian heritage in the gallowglass (mercenary) warriors who served Irish and Scottish lords, and eventually settled in Ireland. Some, like my ancestors the McGrails, were given lands in Connacht for their services.

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