By examining the remaining genetic information, we have shown that there is indeed a small but noticeable legacy of Viking influence in Ireland.” The researchers also looked at Irish genetics in the context of Britain and found additional signals of migration between the two islands.
New research shows that the Irish definitely have their fair share of Viking heritage–in fact, the Irish are more genetically diverse than most people may assume. The Irish have Viking and Norman ancestry in similar proportions to the English.
Experts believe that a majority of Irish people have Celtic roots; however, a study published on Thursday found they may also have a great deal of influence from the Vikings, Anglo-Normans, and British.
They were also found to have most similarity to two main ancestral sources: a 'French' component (mostly northwestern French) which reached highest levels in the Irish and other Celtic populations (Welsh, Highland Scots and Cornish) and showing a possible link to the Bretons; and a 'West Norwegian' component related to ...
O'Cleary or O'Clery (Irish: Ó Cléirigh) is the surname of a learned Gaelic Irish family. It is the oldest recorded surname in Europe — dating back to 916 CE — and is cognate with cleric and clerk. The O'Clearys are a sept of the Uí Fiachrach dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Connacht for nearly two millennia.
Last names ending in -son or -sen often signify a Viking in the family lineage.
Perhaps the greatest shift in the DNA of Irish people happened between 500 BCE and 400 CE with the Gaels/Celts. These populations had Germanic roots, so it makes sense that the modern-day Irish would also have German ancestry.
Irish ethnicity developed from multiple groups such as the Gaelic Celts and the Anglo-Normans, which included the English, the Vikings, and the French.
United Kingdom: With around 500,000 people of Irish descent, the UK, Ireland's closest neighbor, is home to more people of Irish heritage than any country other than Ireland itself. Most live in Northern Island and surrounding British Isles. 2.
If we are speaking ethnically, the closest people to a Viking in modern-day terms would be the Danish, Norwegians, Swedish, and Icelandic people.
As descendants of the Vikings, people from Scandinavian countries—Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—are the most likely to carry Viking DNA. However, their genetic footprint extends far beyond Scandinavia due to the Vikings' extensive exploration, raiding, and colonization during the Viking Age (around 793-1066 AD).
Many Vikings had brown hair, not blonde, including the famous Eyrephort warrior from Co. Galway. Viking identity in Britain and Ireland was not limited to those of Scandinavian ancestry. An individual buried in the Viking tradition from Ship Street Great is mostly of local origin.
The first sign is geographical location; those who live in Scandinavian countries, such as Norway and Denmark, are more likely to be related to Vikings due to their proximity. Another indicator is surnames; common Scandinavian last names like Anderson and Johnson can usually be traced back to Norse traditions.
Viking rule in Ireland was ultimately short-lived. The Vikings initially settled in Ireland around 795 AD, where they continued to invade and establish settlements for the next two centuries until 1014 AD.
The Lebor Gabála tells of Ireland being settled (or "taken") six times by six groups of people: the people of Cessair, the people of Partholón, the people of Nemed, the Fir Bolg, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Milesians.
They are the Sidhe (pronounced “shee”) – mystical fairy-like people who supposedly inhabited Ireland prior to the arrival of the Celts (the Milesians). The Tuatha de Dannan are credited with naming Ireland.
Stone age hunter
The first people arrived in Ireland about 9,000 years ago (around 7000 BC). We now call them Stone Age people because they used stone tools for their farm work and for hunting.
AB negative is the rarest of the eight main blood types - just 1% of our donors have it. Despite being rare, demand for AB negative blood is low and we don't struggle to find donors with AB negative blood.
At the 2021 Australian census, 2,410,833 residents identified themselves as having Irish ancestry either alone or in combination with another ancestry. This nominated ancestry was third behind English and Australian in terms of the largest number of responses and represents 9.5% of the total population of Australia.
Viking body type
Discoveries suggest Vikings were generally stronger, and a little larger than many people today. Archeological research indicates Vikings weighed around 140kg on average, and were stronger than most. Many Vikings were also named after their strength or general appearance.
“The Vikings had a lot more genes from southern and eastern Europe than we anticipated,” said Willerslev. “They frequently had children with people from other parts of the world. In fact, they also tended to be dark-haired rather than blond, which is otherwise considered an established Viking trait.”
The most notable Viking facial features include a robust jawline, high cheekbones, broad and prominent foreheads, and deep-set, almond-shaped eyes. These features often accompany a strong, straight nose and a distinctive, heavy brow ridge.