Norse-Gaelic Paganism: Viking and Irish Myth and Magic

by Annie Cúglas Humphrey

• Explores the syncretism of Gaelic and Norse cultures and the spirituality that flourished while the Vikings were settled in Ireland

• Examines the roots of Norse and Irish heathenism, including ancestor veneration and a relationship with household and nature spirits

• Reveals the Gaelic involvement in Iceland’s settlement, including Irish incantations in Icelandic grimoires and Norse-Gaelic ghosts that appear in Icelandic literature

Dyflin, now modern Dublin, was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. Through archaeological and historical research, the author explores connections between Celtic/Gaelic and Norse spiritualties of the time and, by reconstructing local customs and beliefs, reveals how this cultural relationship still informs Paganism today.

Scholar and Pagan practitioner, Annie Humphrey, shows that Norse and Irish heathen beliefs were uncorrupted by Roman influence and ultimately syncretized to form a set of deeply spiritual practices. This unique set of practices cannot truly be considered a religion. Rather, it was a very flexible and highly regional worldview that involved veneration of ancestors and the dead and enjoyed a transactional relationship with household and nature spirits. This book follows the spread of this unique Paganism through Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, identifying Norse settlements in areas that popular history has misidentified as purely Gaelic or Anglo-Saxon. Annie reveals Gaelic influence in the settling of Iceland and shows its presence in magical and spiritual practices of the time. The author also looks at Irish incantations from Icelandic grimoires and shows how Norse influences reshaped Irish writing. Exploring Manx folklore and magical traditions of the Isle of Man, and remote areas like the Orkneys, this book reveals the presence of this Pagan synthesis in modern folkways and practices that have gone largely unnoticed by mainstream scholarship.

Combining expert scholarly discipline with personal gnosis, Norse-Gaelic Paganism brings ancient traditions and wisdom to the contemporary practitioner.

160 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Lavender Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a challenging read in the best way possible, with its combination of Old Norse and Old Irish direct quotes from sources to the delectable density of information about an arguably niche body of topics. The author’s choice of starting readers with an early Irish and “viking” history in Ireland and surrounding lands allows for a natural progression to discussion of the cultural exchange between the peoples in that region. The book culminates with a discussion of the crossover of Irish and Norse folklore before finally reaching a brief discussion of some modern Norse-Gaelic pagan practice.

What I liked the most about this book, besides its thoroughness and wealth of specific info, was the fact that Dr. Humphrey set up the end of the book as a launching point from which readers can use the information given to continue their own research. The Notes and Bibliography sections in particular provide many options for further reading—a sentiment encouraged by the author’s closing metaphor of her work being water delivered to an “arid landscape” throughout which readers can discover on their own what has grown there.

As a somewhat new pagan myself, this book has really helped me hone where I want to direct my energy next regarding exploring my spirituality!

[aly ^_^ · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting and educational!