Scandinavian Relations with Ireland During the Viking Period

by A. Walsh

CHAPTER VI.
LINGUISTIC INFLUENCES.

(a) Loan-words from Old Norse in Irish.

The large number of loan-words from Old Norse which occur in Old and Middle Irish indicate clearly the extent and character of Scandinavian influence in Ireland. They are therefore interesting from an historical point of view, for they confirm, and sometimes supplement, the evidence of Irish and Icelandic sources, that the relations existing between the two peoples were largely of a friendly character.

As the subject has already been fully dealt with by Celtic scholars,[163] only the more important loan words are given here:—

I. Dress[164] and Armour.

O. Ir. at-cluic, also clocc-att ‘a helmet.’ att = O.N. hattr, ‘a hat,’ while cluic = M. Ir. clocenn, ‘a head.’
M. Ir. allsmann;	O.N. halsmen, ‘a necklace.’
M. Ir. boga;	O.N. bogi, ‘a bow.’
M. Ir. bossan;	O.N. púss, ‘a small bag or purse hanging from the belt.’
M. Ir. cnapp;	O.N. knappr, ‘a button.’
M. Ir. elta;	O.N. hjalt, ‘a hilt’ (of a sword).
M. Ir. mattal;	O.N. möttull, ‘a cloak.’
M. Ir. mergge;	O.N. merki, ‘a flag’ or ‘banner.’
M. Ir. sceld;	O.N. sköjldr, ‘a shield.’
O. Ir. scot, lin scoit;	O.N. skaut, ‘a cloth,’ or ‘sheet.’
M. Ir. starga;	O.N. targa, ‘a shield.’

II. Housebuilding.

M. Ir. bailc;	O.N. bálkr, ‘a beam.’
M. Ir. fuindeog;	O.N. vindauga, ‘a window.’
M. Ir. garda;	O.N. garthr, ‘a garden.’
M. Ir. halla;	O.N. höll, ‘a hall.’
M. Ir. sparr;	O.N. sparri, ‘a rafter.’
M. Ir. stóll;	O.N. stóll, ‘a stool.’

III.