According to the Norwegian Irish Society, there are about 620 Irish citizens living in Norway, but the Society claims that number is low because it doesn’t take into account the children of Irish parents that have recently been born.

I didn’t even know there was a Norwegian Irish Society.  For those of you who have heard of Johnny Logan, he was the host of of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Oslo on Saturday, March 13.  Logan is an Irish singer/songwriter born Séan Patrick Michael Sherrard and actually, since the beginning of February, he has been touring Norway performing concerts.  Click here to see a couple videos of Logan.

I found the opptog (parade) details on the Norwegian Irish Society website (irishsociety.no).  I really should have gotten this post out a couple of days ago for any readers in the Oslo area or able to be in the Oslo area.  However, I’m sure you would have seen it on the news or heard about it somewhere.  Anyways, the opptog started at Jernbanetorget (Oslo S), the main tog (train) terminal and ended at Universitetsplassen via Karl Johans gate (the main drag).  See the YouTube videos of Johnny Logan to hear his music and get a glimpse of the event!

There was a welcome address, an address by the Irish Ambassador to Norway, an address by the Grand Marshall (Johnny Logan), music from the band, announcements, and the singing of the national anthem.  The Norwegian Irish Society worked hard at planning an after-parade get-together to continue the celebration.  They reserved the Hard Rock Cafe (kind of funny, since that’s an American restaurant…), where they enjoyed food, drink, virtual bowling, a raffle.  Of course since the opptog was on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day, there would have to be celebration the day of, yesterday.  That happens at no other than the great Irish pub called the Dubliner.

A little history about the opptog in Oslo and the Norwegian Irish Society–The first opptog occurred in 2000 and was organised by a group of expatriates.  The Norwegian Irish Society, which claims to be non-political, non-denominational, voluntary, and non-profit making, has coordinated the event ever since.  I have to say, the Norwegian Irish Society’s website is quite good (except for a few links that direct you to a page that says “coming soon,” which is always disappointing, but makes you want to go remember to go back-maybe that’s the idea…).  There’s a lot of information for Irish living in Norway and for people who want to take part in Irish events.  Consult this page to see links to organizations, businesses, events, etc.

Happy belated St. Patty’s Day!