13/03/2026
At Resthon AS, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Norwegian Irish Society (NIS) for the second year in a row. Through our venue, O’Connor’s Irish Pub Oslo, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting their cultural work and serving as a gathering place during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
NIS is a volunteer‑driven, passionate organisation dedicated to building and sustaining the Irish community in and around Oslo. Under their umbrella, you’ll find initiatives ranging from St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween events to an Irish choir. They also collaborate closely with The Sound Irish Dance Factory, which teaches and showcases Irish dance, and Féile Oslo, which for many years has promoted Irish music and dance in Norway.
This year, the main St. Patrick’s Day celebration takes place on Saturday, 14th March, and we are delighted that the Grand Marshall for 2026 is Dr. Caitlin Ellis, a professor at the University of Oslo specialising in medieval Irish and Scandinavian history. She will be joining NIS throughout the day as part of the festivities.
The celebration begins with the traditional parade from Oslo Central Station to Universitetsplassen — complete with a bagpipe band, Irish wolfhounds, music, dancing, and a sea of green‑clad participants. At Universitetsplassen, the programme continues with a speech from the Irish Ambassador to Norway, performances from the choir and dancers, and a traditional céilí where everyone is invited to join in.
We at Resthon are delighted that O’Connor’s has become a warm and welcoming gathering point for NIS before, during, and after St. Patrick’s weekend. The committee’s kind feedback about our atmosphere, staff, and how O’Connor’s “has captured the essence of a true Irish pub” means a great deal to us.
Events like these require time, passion, and financial support. We are proud to contribute as a partner. Without backing from local businesses like ours — as well as support from Irish businesses in Oslo, Tourism Ireland, and the Irish government — much of this cultural work would not be possible.
With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, we encourage everyone to take part in the NIS events, join the parade, enjoy the performances, and help support the vibrant Irish community here in Norway. (More information about this year’s programme can be found on the flyers/images attached to this post.
And of course — drop by O’Connor’s during St. Patrick’s weekend!
We look forward to welcoming you with a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and a truly authentic Irish pub experience. 🍀
-----------------------------------------------
📸 Image Credits:
– NIS event photos: kindly provided by Annmarie McDermot
– Photos of O’Connor’s: taken by Alex Thorsen
https://www.facebook.com/norwegianirishsociety
