The first ever Irish Viking genomes, or DNA sequences, have been published today and the results will come as a surprise to many. The findings were published in leading international journal, Nature, as part of the largest ever DNA analysis of Viking remains and they have revealed that most Viking DNA evident in Ireland can be traced back to Norway. The genomes of three men and a woman from Irish Viking burials in counties Dublin and Galway were sequenced for the study. “In general, Irish Viking genomes harbour high levels of Norwegian-like ancestry. Two skeletons from Orkney, buried with swords in the Viking tradition, were genetically most similar to present-day Irish and Scottish people.

Source: Irish Independent September 16, 2020 20:14 UTC