Special Collections item

It has been estimated that one in every ten Icelanders will become published in their lifetime, a staggering and no doubt much-envied fact. They certainly have a history of storytelling. The word ‘saga’ originates from the Old Norse or Icelandic for ‘story’.

One of the most recognisable names in epic Icelandic literature is Snorri Sturluson (1179?-1241). Heimskringla, his lengthy saga of the Old Norse kings, was written in the C13th. The Delargy Collection holds much material on Icelandic literature, including works by Snorri Sturluson, such as this 1777 Copenhagen printing of Heimskringla.

Its ornately tooled binding would suggest the high social standing of its former owner.

If you would like to consult this item, or any item in the Delargy Collection, please submit an online request or contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie