I’ve mentioned before that I have an interest in genealogy and family history. I love the “Who Do You Think You Are?” TV series. So I certainly didn’t miss a TV programme called “The Blood of the Irish” which was aired a couple of years ago. It set out to find out where we Irish came from.
This island was only inhabited by humans very late in history, approximately 10,000 years ago I think. This is tens of thousands of years after humans reached the extremities of Europe and the UK. So where we came from, and why we took so long to get here has always been a bit of a mystery.
Old Ireland and modern Ireland side by side in County Galway
As part of the programme the presenter Diarmuid Gavin visited Glencurran Cave in The Burren area of County Clare. Human remains had been found in a burial site in the cave. The remains were those of a 3-year-old child and when tested were found to be 3,500 years old. Researchers say the stable environment of the cave preserved the remains so well that they were able to extract DNA for further testing.
The DNA of the cave child was compared with 13 schoolchildren currently living in the village nearest to the cave. Three of those children were found to have a “strong DNA link” to the child who had been placed in the cave 3500 years ago.
That fact just blows my mind. Maybe it’s because I am fascinated by family history and local history.
Or maybe it’s because a 3,500-year-old relative is the ultimate answer to “Who Do You Think You Are?” research.
You can keep your long-lost ancestors from 100 or 200 years ago. Even 300 doesn’t impress me anymore. Can anyone better a 3,500 year old ancestor with a proven DNA link?!
hey, I live in Canada–we think 300 years is a long time
I know. Someone in my mothers family traced their family tree back to the early 1800s and we thought that was amazing. It doesn’t seem so amazing now though!!
Wow, that’s fascinating! Is it possible to view “the blood of the Irish” here in the States? I’m assuming it was on RTE. The DNA info is amazing!
I don’t think you can view it online Lois. There are one or two very short clips on youtube. But in checking details for this post I found that the programme is available on DVD – not sure of the cost. Click on the name of the programme at the start of my post.
Will do. Thanks, Ellie!
That’s awesome. This show sounds incredible.
It was very interesting. It turns out that Irish DNA and Basque (Spain) DNA are the closest match so the Irish might have originally come from Spain. Who knew?!
Fascinating….I love researching my family tree.
Me too. Its addictive.
That is absolutely amazing!
I love the photo. So “ancient-modern”
Peace,
Alexandria
Thanks Alexandria.
Yes Ellie, fascinating! Imagine finding out that you have direct links to someone that long ago in history! I mean we all will have, but actually seeing the evidence… amazing!
Great post!
It was amazing. On the programme it showed the mother of one of the kids with the DNA connection and she was really dumbstruck by the news. I don’t blame her, I would be the same way.
Wow, that’s amazing! It must have been really foggy on the West coast for no one to discover it all that time.
I enjoy the Australian version of the show. Recently there was an episode with a famous Aboriginal South Australian footballer. We are related and share the same ancestors on his mother’s side. So when I watched the show I was able to see the story of my own ancestors..the first legal black & white marriage in South Australia. Still sends tingles down my spine now…
Wow. Thats amazing. Can’t imagine what it would be like to see your own family story unfold on TV.
A radio presenter here was approached by the Irish “Who Do You Think You Are” programme but after they did the research they just gave him the information they found – it wasnt exciting enough for TV!!
Good to know you come from an interesting family, isn’t it?
That is amazing. To be honest though I have enough with the relatives I have!
I think we’ve all had that feeling one time or another.
So very cool! The US is a mere babe compared to Ireland!
Wow! That’s fascinating. I love your picture of old mixed with new.
That old abbey dates from the early 1500s. The playground was built 2 years ago!
That’s amazing! Love this sort of stuff.
We went to Ireland on our honeymoon. It was beautiful. We traveled all over the country. Such a great place!
Reblogged this on Anna Parker Journal.