A chairde,

It will be a different St Patrick’s Day again this year but let us all do what we can to mark the event and to include others in the Irish community…….send an electronic card, call someone, Zoom someone. Whatever the limitations we should all be aware that millions of Irish are celebrating the day with us, in every corner of the world, so let’s take a breather from COVID, lockdowns, and our concerns for a while. I was looking out the window from my home “office” this morning at the bird nesting box I put up last year……and now get the feeling of déjà vu as I believe I did exactly the same thing exactly a year ago……new and exciting experiences seem to be getting rarer! However, I can claim to have made my first soda bread and even remembered to let the fairies out:

I may move on to Colcannon for the day that’s in it…..and probably not corned beef and cabbage! Compared to other cultures (well maybe not so much the Norwegian) we do have a limited cuisine! (Does anyone remember eating cabbage sandwiches??…not very sophisticated but I seem to recall they were good at the time and who would have thought that pigs’ trotters could become haute cuisine in Paris).

 So, there are small challenges we can master (whether it is mandarin or soda bread) now that we have more time. Covid affects us all, for some more of a great inconvenience, for others it represents something much more serious, in terms of health, loved ones and economy. I guess a major issue for us Irish here in Norway is that we cannot freely travel to Ireland, take part in key family events, have visits from home. As someone who was frequently travelling, I have of course been complaining of all the time I seem to have spent on the airport train or at an airport somewhere, but I guess the feeling of claustrophobia is affecting us all now.

Actually, I am more exercised about the thought of investing in a bottle of Irish whiskey at the Vinmonopol which is a consequence of not being able to travel or have visitors. Paying over kr600 per litre for Jameson when the brother is sipping online on one that he paid Euro 20 for is not an easy thing…. I haven’t gone down that route yet. But I am sure we can all find something on St Patrick’s day (whether it is green tea or green beer or even green wine) so that we take a minute to raise a toast to being Irish or to having a fondness for the place and the people.

So, on behalf of the Norwegian Irish Society, let me wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day / Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit and send our best wishes for a brighter summer and some feeling of normality again.

Fan slán/stay safe

Conn

For NIS

Conn Fagan

President Norwegian Irish Society

www.irishsociety.no

Happy St. Patrick’s Day / Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit to all Irish, half-Irish, quarter-Irish, wish-they-were Irish in Norway. As we say, everyone can be Irish today, all you need is to wear something green and a smile (wearing only a smile in public however is probably illegal).

In these times it is a challenge to focus on anything other than negative things, but today let us all try to do something to remind ourselves of our being Irish and put a smile on our own and others’ faces…….

Some suggestions:

• Wear something green – underwear only, is acceptable but a little weird

• If you sing a song….sing an Irish song. There is a suggestion that people go to their doors or their windows or gardens at 4 pm today and belt out Ireland’s Call or Óró, sé do bheatha bhaile. Here is a refresher:

or

• Have some green food……although retrieving that bread from the organic recycling bag may be taking that a bit far. You can at least say to your kids that eating greens today is a national requirement. Or make colcannon or that traditional Irish dish of guacamole.

• Fly the flag. You all know how proud Norway is of their flag……so why not fly ours, on your balcony, on your garage. Or fly whatever you intended to wave at the parade….your county colours, your green scarf.

• Have your own parade at home : let the Irish music blare , line up the kids, convince your spouse it is necessary, and then just go for it. It helps if you have been active in the child creation business in the first place!! As the Norwegians say , you can only have as much fun as you create yourself!

• Have a drink! OK not at 3 pm but at an appropriate time. God knows we all need one…..and you probably wont be driving to work or to kids activities anyway……and shure its only once a year.

It doesn’t have to be green and you can have it in or with your coffee. Raise your glass to your country and to the health of your family, your friends and your neighbors.

• Post your pictures on our FB site and on your own social media sites to show us all that there is plenty of life and joy on this day

• Stay safe and follow the health authorities’ advice

Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, our pipers, dancers, dogs and all who usually contribute to our events (and anyone else I might have missed).

A special thought and thanks to all our volunteers in the Norwegian Irish Society who have worked hard to organise SPD events in Norway this year only to see them cancelled. Know that your contribution of time and talent is very much appreciated ….we will come back stronger in the future.

Beir beannacht

Conn

For NIS

Conn Fagan

President Norwegian Irish Society

www.irishsociety.no