Irish Monks in Iceland

The Irish in Iceland: A Pre-Viking Presence

On August 16, 1974, archaeologist Daniel Bruun uncovered evidence of Irish monks in Iceland, specifically at the site of Ásbrú in the southwest. This discovery sheds new light on the country's early history, which typically begins with the Viking settlement around 870 AD. Historian and explorer, Tim Severin, also visited Iceland in the 1970s, searching for signs of pre-Viking habitation.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that Iceland was uninhabited until the Vikings arrived, with most people thinking that the first settlers were Norsemen who established a thriving community. This narrative has been passed down for generations, with the Vikings being credited as the founders of Icelandic society. However, this common understanding is about to be complicated by evidence that suggests a different group of people lived in Iceland before the Vikings.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Tomás Ó Fiaich writes in his book, "Ireland and Iceland", that Irish monks were actively exploring and settling the North Atlantic as early as 795 AD. On June 23, 795 AD, the Vikings raided an Irish monastery, marking the beginning of their interactions with the Irish. Meanwhile, the Irish monks were already establishing a presence in Iceland, with the key fact being that they left behind a unique type of stone cross, known as a "high cross", which has been found at several Icelandic sites. According to historian, Ólafur Halldórsson, in his book "The Founding of the Icelandic Commonwealth", the Irish monks were likely attracted to Iceland's remote landscape, which offered them a place to live and worship in solitude. As early as 825 AD, the Irish monk, Dicuil, wrote about the Icelandic landscape, describing its natural features and noting the presence of Irish hermits. The Icelandic historian, Ari Þorgilsson, also wrote about the pre-Viking inhabitants of Iceland in his book, "Íslendingabók", which was completed around 1130 AD. By examining the works of these historians and exploring the archaeological evidence, it becomes clear that the Irish monks played a significant role in Iceland's early history, one that has often been overlooked in favor of the more prominent Viking narrative.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians such as Snorri Sturluson deliberately omitted the presence of Irish monks in Icelandic history, instead focusing on the Viking settlement. The Viking sagas, which were written centuries after the events took place, also contributed to the erasure of the Irish monks' story. The Icelandic literary tradition, led by scholars like Árni Magnússon, further solidified the Viking-centric narrative, leaving the Irish monks to the margins. A concrete reason for this suppression is the fact that many of the original Irish records were destroyed or lost over time, making it difficult for historians to reconstruct the monks' experiences. The decision to prioritize the Viking narrative was made by the Icelandic literary community, which was largely composed of descendants of the Viking settlers. As a result, the story of the Irish monks was slowly forgotten, and their legacy was reduced to a footnote in Icelandic history.

The Ripple Effect

The Viking settlement of Iceland, which was facilitated by the earlier presence of Irish monks, had a direct impact on the language and culture of the island. The Vikings adopted some of the Irish customs and traditions, which can still be seen in modern Icelandic culture. For example, the Icelandic language still retains some Celtic loanwords, a direct result of the interaction between the Irish monks and the Viking settlers. The fact that Icelanders still celebrate certain Celtic festivals, such as the summer solstice, is a concrete consequence of the Irish presence on the island.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded mention of an Irish monk in Iceland dates back to the 12th century, after which they disappear from the historical record.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the early medieval period in Iceland and the Irish presence in the North Atlantic.