Transcriber’s Note: The spelling, accents and hyphenation of given names are inconsistent and have been retained as printed. SCANDINAVIAN RELATIONS WITH IRELAND DURING THE VIKING PERIOD BY A. WALSH [Illustration] DUBLIN THE TALBOT PRESS LIMITED LONDON T. FISHER UNWIN LIMITED 1922 PREFACE This short study was written during my tenure of a Travelling Studentship from the National University of Ireland, and in March, 1920, was accepted for the Research Degree Certificate of Cambridge University. A glance at the bibliography shows that comparatively little has been written in English on this interesting period of our history. On the other hand modern Scandinavian scholars--Alexander Bugge, Marstrander, and Vogt--have thrown a good deal of light on the subject, but unfortunately very few of their books have been translated into English. The present dissertation is based principally upon the Old and Middle Irish annals and chronicles and the Icelandic sagas; reference has also been made to the work of Scandinavian, English and Irish scholars on the subject. I should like to acknowledge my debt to Professor Chadwick, who directed my work: those who have had the privilege of working under him will readily understand how much is due to his encouragement and stimulating criticism. I wish also to express my thanks to my friends, Miss N. Kershaw and Mr. E. J. Thomas, for many kindnesses while the book was in preparation; to Miss Eleanor Hull and Professor Ó’Máille, University College, Galway, for the loan of books; and to the Librarian and staff of Cambridge University Library, the National Library, Dublin, and T.C.D. Library. A. W. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE Chap. I. THE VIKINGS IN IRELAND (795-1014) 1 II. INTERCOURSE BETWEEN THE GAILL AND THE GAEDHIL DURING THE VIKING PERIOD 10 III. THE GROWTH OF THE SEAPORT TOWNS 21 IV. THE EXPANSION OF IRISH TRADE 29 V. SHIPBUILDING AND SEAFARING 35 VI. LINGUISTIC INFLUENCES 40 (_a_) Loan-words from Old Norse in Irish. (_b_) Gaelic Words in Old Norse Literature. (_c_) Irish Influence on Icelandic Place-nomenclature. VII. THE VIKINGS AND THE CELTIC CHURCH 47 VIII. LITERARY INFLUENCE. THE SAGAS OF ICELAND AND IRELAND 57 BIBLIOGRAPHY 77