Norwegian Irish Society
One of the biggest logistical challenges for the Norwegian Irish Society is getting the necessary Irish breakfast supplies into Norway in time for their St. Patrick’s Day breakfast feast.
Every year, the Society hosts a breakfast for their volunteers on St. Patrick’s Day, followed by a parade. After the parade, there’s more food and festivities.
Bigger venue
“After the St Patricks’s Day Parade we have an Emigrant Support Programme funded meal and party for everybody, families and individuals," says President Sara Hayden. "There’s Irish dancing and lots of fun as well. We filled the room last year and we’ll need a bigger venue for next year!”
The Norwegian Irish Society helps to bring the Irish community in Oslo together, as well as help other Irish-focused societies across Norway connect and stay in touch.
The Society is run by volunteers, and Hayden says a lot of their events and work are supported by ESP funding.
“It can be hard when you’re running a volunteer organisation to motivate people to get together and create something. The Emigrant Support Programme provides financial support, but it’s also encouragement that you have a good idea,” she explains.
Other events include a Hallowe’en party and Cruinniú Agus Tae. The Hallowe’en party is a great opportunity for families with young children to come together.
“It’s a really nice and fun event with a lot of volunteer support. Everyone comes dressed up, people bring cakes and sweets to share, and it’s a really lovely atmosphere,” she says.
Diverse events
Of Cruinniú Agus Tae, Hayden explains: “It’s a cosy gathering to meet the demand for something that’s not noisy or alcohol-based. It’s a bit more relaxed, and increases the diversity of our reach to the Norwegian-Irish community. It has been really successful!”
An Irish women’s choir is a key component of the Society. The Mná Oslo Irish Choir practice weekly, which helps to build strong ties among the choir, but as they travel around and bring their singing to new audiences it also helps to expand the reach of the Society.
Empowered community
Hayden stresses that what they do at the Society is just a small part of the activities of Irish people across Norway, which is a broad cohort of people passionate about sharing Irish culture.
Hayden says of the Emigrant Support Programme, “It’s Ireland facilitating us to create our community. It helps to get things off the ground and empower communities abroad to go and do things together. ESP support means you’re being seen by Ireland, and you feel you are being encouraged to create and connect with your Irish community.”