Irish and Scottish roots in Galicia/ North Western Spain

[dfmacliam]

DNA Research Links Scots, Irish And Welsh To North-western Spain
Brian Donnelly, The Herald (Glasgow), 10 Sept. 2004

Celtic nations such as Scotland and Ireland have more in common with the Portuguese and Spanish than with the Celts of central Europe, according to a new academic report.

Historians have long believed that the British Isles were swamped by a massive invasion of Iron Age Celts from central Europe around 500BC.

However, geneticists at Trinity College in Dublin now claim that the Scots and Irish have more in common with the people of north-western Spain.

Dr Daniel Bradley, genetics lecturer at Trinity College, said a new study into Celtic origins revealed close affinities with the people of Galicia.

He said: "It's well-known that there are cultural relations between the areas but now this shows there is much more. We think the links are much older than that of the Iron Age because it also shows affinities with the Basque region, which isn't a Celtic region."

He added: "The links point towards other Celtic nations, in particular Scotland, but they also point to Spain."

Historians believed the Celts, originally Indo-European, invaded the Atlantic islands in a massive migration 2500 years ago.

But using DNA samples from people living in Celtic nations and other parts of Europe, geneticists at the university have drawn new parallels.

Dr Bradley said it was possible migrants moved from the Iberian peninsula to Ireland as far back as 6000 years ago up until 3000 years ago.

"I don't agree with the idea of a massive Iron Age invasion that took over the Atlantic islands. You can regard the ocean, rather than a barrier, as a communication route," Dr Bradley said.

Archaeologists have also been questioning the links between the Celts of eastern France and southern Germany and the people of the British Isles and the new research appears to prove their theories.

The Dublin study found that people in areas traditionally known as Celtic, such as Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany and Cornwall, had strong links with each other and had more in common with people from the Iberian peninsula.

[xman]

This is the difference between the ancient Gaels and the ancient Celts. The Celtic Scots of the east and lowlands after many centuries eventually won dominion over the highlands and that is why the the misconception persists. The people of the Outer Hebrides, my people were Pictish with more in common with Ireland and Norway than the rest of Scotland. Maybe still do.

My wife is Hispanic, surnamed González. A name more popular in Portugal and the Canary Islands. In siring my son I may have inadvertently strengthened the Gaelic blood in our line. His middle name is Gáel too.

Thank-you for this excellent article.

[O'Callaghan]

The traditional lineage of the Irish Gaels leads back to a man called variously Mil, Milidh or Milesius (in various languages), who is said to have come from Spain. Mind you, it also leads back to Adam if you keep on going, but I have always believed that it was true that at least the Irish chiefs were of Spanish descent. It's a widely held belief in Spain too.

Just because it's myth or legend doesn't mean it ain't true!

[Lallans]

This then is probably the origin of the "Black Irish" folks? The previous theory was that they were descendants of the shipwrecked survivors of the Spanish Armada.

[Galician]

Aha!

There is a medieval document which gives the history of the world. It describes how the King of the Celts saw Ireland from the high tower still at Lands End in Galicia, and led his people there as a result.

Somebody had to stay to clean up.

[xman]

This then is probably the origin of the "Black Irish" folks? .

'Xactly!

[Zardoz]

This then is probably the origin of the "Black Irish" folks? The previous theory was that they were descendants of the shipwrecked survivors of the Spanish Armada.

'Black Irish' is a traditional (or racist, depending on who you ask) term commonly used in Irish American communities, to describe dark brown/black hair appearing in people of Irish descent, as opposed to the light brown, blond, or red hair colors stereotypically perceived as typical Irish folks.

Because the Irish were stereotyped for so long as redheaded backward isolated barbarians, the Spanish Armada theory was often used to explain the darker haired Irish.

In truth the Irish were pretty well developed as seafairing traders, and got around quite a bit. And while they do enjoy a higher percentage of pale skinned light or red haired types than most nations, most are darker haired. No doubt generations of "cultural relations" with folks from the Iberian peninsula impacted that.

[auld argonian]

Interesting that the Basque are mentioned...

Any of our linguists want to compare forms of Gaelic to the Basque language? I've always heard that Basque was totally unrelated in any way to any of the other language groups surrounding the area. Maybe they were looking in the wrong place for languages that have similarities...

Greg Beloitpiper? Sound like a job for the Gaelic speaking archaeologist!

Best

AA

[denmcdough]

Yes, we Irish, Scottish, Wesh, etc. are very much related to the Iberian folks. In fact, if you were to go to Galacia, their music would make you think you were in Ireland. Pretty cool, huh?

A member of the musical group, The Chieftans (don't know which one), was doing a study to link Spanish music to Irish, and then to connect it to Caribbean. Even Irish dance is somewhat similar to flamenco.

I was also reading, somewhere, that ancient Galacian burial sites had bodies clothed in garments that were similar to a kilt, and it was tartan cloth. Hope that's not an internet makeup story!???

Anyway, great OP on the Celtic connection. I find it extremely fascinating!

[denmcdough]

Oh, I forgot to add this: the red hair associated with the Irish is, in fact, more of a Nordic trait.