Vestmannaeyjar (English: The Westmen Isles) is a small archipelago off the south coast of Iceland.
The islands are named after the Irish who were captured into slavery by the Norse Gaels. The Old Norse word Vestmenn, literally "Westmen", was applied to the Irish, and retained in Icelandic even though Ireland is more easterly than Iceland.
Louis MacNeice visited them several times and here is his poem about an unfortunate trawlerman.
I am afraid I cannot find a printed version, but sit back and enjoy this reading by Simon Armitage at the 2007 Louis MacNeice Centenary Celebration.
"SONG OF THE WEST MEN"
jollyweez
That was a poem to be enjoyed as would have been an ancient bard bringing the news around the winter shelters of the Norsemen, around a great fire surrounded by their livestock and favourite hounds. After a meal of deermeat, mead or some fiery concoction to warm their bellies, the bard would tell the story, sometimes as a song, "The Song of the West Men." Fabulous times back then, when men were men.
Thank you also, Colin, for finding such a remarkable picture to suit the tale you tell, beneath. All about the hapless Irishmen being seized and captured to be slaves to the ancient Norsemen.
This is all so interesting, Colin. I had never heard of the Westmen Isles before and had no idea they existed.
So much to learn, so little time...