It would seem there have always been Celts in Vienna. Even the name suggests a world and a time long before the Romans. So it is no wonder when looking back through the history of this wonderful city, scratch the surface and more than just a trace of a Celtic past is to be found. In fact the Celtic thread runs throughout. In the late 12th century Duke Heinrich II of Austria, requiring a monastery
for his new city, brought Irish monks to Vienna from Regensburg. At this time, during the early middle-ages, Ireland was known in latin as "Scotia Major" and the Irish Gaelic culture stretched from Éireann (Ireland) across to Alba (Scotland) by way of the ancient kingdom of Dal Riada. Known as the "Scoti", these Gaels would travel further afield and would in time, also give their name to the country that was to become Scotland. It was during this same period Gaelic monks from monasteries in Ireland and what is now the Scottish isles were actively involved in missionary work throughout Europe. In Austria, Germany and Switzerland these same Gaelic monks established successful monasteries and centres of learning and became known as the "Schotten" or "Iroschotten" in German. The monasteries they founded were named "Schottenklöster" and their influence and teaching stretched from Ireland to the Ukraine, even as far as Constantinople. In the foundation documents of the Schottenstift in Vienna, Heinrich II specified that it was to be occupied exclusively by these "Iroschotten" by his decree - "Solos elegimus Scottos". Working through Gaelic and Latin these monks established a centre of learning in Vienna. The "Schotten" were, by association, directly involved with the University of Vienna, which was founded in 1365; the first head abbot being of Gaelic origins. The "Iroschotten" would remain active in Vienna until the mid 15th century leaving a legacy that endures to this day at ‘Schottengasse’, ‘Schottentor’, ‘Schottenstift’ and beyond!
