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New user here, this is actually my first post. Apologies in advance for any errors.
Recently, I've picked up the "DNA research" bug.
Paternally, I can trace my family back to (roughly) the 1600's in Ireland with relative ease. They're associated with the Sullivans and McCarthys, and prior to recieving my National Geographic results I assumed I would be a branch of R1B. To my surprise, I belong to J2a1b3 (specifically J-L210). This, in particular, piqued my interest. According to my research, this group is relatively rare (to the point of near statistical non-existence) in Ireland, although it does appear in a few areas in Britain (Wales and Scotland).
I also recently acquired the first book in Barry Cunliffe's new 3 part series "Celtic from the West", in which he discusses the migration patterns of non R1 y-dna groups in Celtic and pre-Celtic Europe.
Specifically, he notes that I1b, J2, and E3b1 most likely moved from south-west Europe to Britain and Ireland during the Neolithic and early Bronze age. He states Galicia, France, and Liguria as equally likely sources/origin points.
He further states that I1b/I1b2 was a separate (early European Neolithic) movement from the (Late Neolithic/Early Bronze) J2-M12 and E3b-78a - and suggests that the latter was a focused migration of specialized Chalcolithic miners. He supports the argument with an E3b1 founding event's relative age and proximity to the Great Ormes Head copper mine of Llandudno (Wales).
He further speculates that these two parallel (I1B and J2/E3b) migrations might have some connection to the evolution of the Goidelic and Brythonic dialects.
I find both the connection to the Balkans and the (apparently) compatible parallels to Lebor Gabála Érenn intriguing - thoughts?
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