Where are the Norse and Irish cross over stories? Where is the Irish Loki?

Question

The vikings were in Ireland for over two hundred years, in medieval times...but you would think that the norse sagas, and irish tales would have transmigrated between the two. I see some signs...Troll stories in the Shetland, Orkneys...etc. but I would think there would be more signs of each. Any folklorist out there with a theory?

Answer 1

I read that the Norse, when in Ireland, eventually assimilated there eventually, in the Irish culture they found there. There is some Norse influence in Irish culture, but not as much as you would expect from an invading force. Maybe the Norse didn't make such a big deal of adopting to their ways when they invaded. The Romans didn't force Roman culture on the Jews when they invaded the Near East, but they insisted on total financial submission from their conquered peoples.

Answer 2

Loki is the Norse god of mischief. The Celts did not really assign special areas to their gods/goddess, but there were beings in celtic legends that were considered mischievious, etc. By the time the Norse invaded Ireland, it was mostly Christian (even though the christianity any a lot pagan over-under tones), so the mythos of the two cultures would not have crossed over all that much. Many Norse considered Jesus to be a form of Odin. Freya and Mary were also identified together and were Freya and Brigit.

Answer 3

According to the Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses second edition by Michael Jordan Loki's origin is Nordic (Icelandic). So I think Loki is still chillin out in Iceland not Ireland.

Answer 4

irish gods and legends were there before the vikings invaded. so they would have already developed their tales. also, the irish mythology doesn't really have specific gods of things. many gods are the god of multiple things. plus christianity has twisted many of the tales. and not to be mean, but the Shetland and Orkeny islands are Scottish, not Irish. is it possible that you meant SCottish and Viking crossover? because those would be more likely than irish and viking. since orkeny is actually a viking- ish name (it is definitle not gaelic)