“Nollaig na mBan” or “Little Women’s Christmas” is an old custom that’s still celebrated by women all over Ireland. It goes back to the days when large families were the norm. Men never lifted a finger in the house to help, and were never expected to. If a man washed the dishes, he would be called an “auld woman” by other men. No full blooded Irish man was prepared to risk that!

But each year, after the Christmas holiday, tired women finally got a break – for one day, at least. On January 6th (the same day as the Epiphany), men would take over of the housework, offering women a chance to go out to relax with each other.

Ladies On Guinness
In older days shawled women hurrying to the local public house. On Little Women’s Christmas, they would inhabit this man’s domain without shame. Sitting in “the snug,” a small private room inside the front door, they would pool the few shillings they’d saved for the day. Then they would drink stout and dine on thick corned beef sandwiches provided by the publican. For the rest of the year, the only time respectable women would meet for a glass of stout would be during shopping hours, and then only because it was “good for iron in the blood.”

Some say this tradition is dying, most women no longer gather in the snug of a public house but wine and lunch has replaced the bottle of stout and corned beef sandwiches. And of course, today’s new man, no stranger to the kitchen, is home trying his hand at cooking and spending quality time with the children (or so they say).. We can’t stop progress, but it’s a pleasure to see Little Women’s Christmas survive.

This year’s Mna na Heireann celebration takes place at Consenzo Brassiere Friday 6th of January.

To celebrate Christmas the Norwegian Irish Society will be meeting up for festive fun on the 15 December 2011 in the Dubliner Pub (Rådhusgata 28, 0151 Oslo). Kicking off at 1700 this will be a great opportunity to meet up with old and new friends from Ireland, and of course friends of Ireland. There will be a raffle with some great Irish prizes and there will be friendly prices at the bar too. See you there!

The Norwegian Irish Society is arranging a Kids Halloween Party!

Date: Sunday 30th October 2011
Time: 14:00-16:30
Venue: Markus Menighet, Schwensensgt. 15, 0170 Oslo
Admission: 50,- per person (adults and children)

Please RSVP to Maria Scharffenberg by the 25th of October.

Send email to mrscharffenberg@gmail.com or call Maria at tel: 92094796

UPDATE BELOW!

In order to open the evening up to as many people as possible, questions will cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Norway
• Ireland
• Science and Nature
• Entertainment
• Sport
• General knowledge

So bring your Norwegian/International friends, wives, husbands, children and grandparents!

There will be prizes for some lucky raffle winners, for the best team name, spot prizes during the quiz and fantastic prizes for the winners of the quiz itself.

Speaking of Prizes…

Oslo GAA has obtained some amazing support from their kind sponsors in Ireland and Norway.

These include:

• Ski passes at Tryvann Skisenter
• Bewleys Hamper
• Butlers Irish Chocolates
• 6 months free on Wimp
• Clothing/shirts

Please note: as the quiz needs to finish in good time it has to begin on time! So 7.30pm means 7.30pm – not “Irish 7.30pm”!.

The Dubliner Pub will host Oslo GAA’s annual Pub Quiz Fund-raiser on October 14th at 7.30pm.

Oslo GAA is dependent on sponsorship and fund raising events such as this in order to function.

This is  where you come in!

Oslo GAA have secured the back bar in the Dubliner on the 14^th of October for a Pub Quiz. Sean “The Quizmaster” Wallace will be hosting on the night. With a wide variety of questions suitable for a diverse crowd, with great prizes on offer.

In order cover this event Oslo GAA need as many people as possible to attend.

Sign up on the facebook group.  https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159398694145650

Or drop Paul an mail to let him know you are attending. oslogaa@hotmail.com

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Saturday 20th of August Oslo Rugby Klubb and Sauté Catering are trying to get as many rugby lovers and their families together. They are providing a fundraising BBQ and a bouncy castle! So please come and join us in support for the sport at Ekeberg rugby pitch. Oslo Rugby Klubb will be playing Blindern K.O. at 1300 which should prove to be a well matched game!

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Irish people of Norway, friends and family are welcome to join us at The Dubliner at 5 pm today, Monday 25. July as the Irish community will gather to join the procession against terror, starting at 6 pm at Oslo City Hall ending at Youngstorget. The organisers are hoping as many as 80 000 people will join the procession. Read more on the procession in Dagbladet here.

Join us at O’Reillys Irish Pub on Wednesday June 1 and help support this year’s Bloomsday Celebrations.

* Wednesday June 1, 18.00 at O’Reillys Irish Pub, Markveien 35B, 0554 Oslo

* Entry: 100 kr per person – teams of 4

*Great Prizes

*Entry: 100 kr per person – teams of 4

*All welcome!

Norwegian Irish Society would like to thank Anthony Hopkins, the most excellent photographer of dittoslo.no, for sharing the pictures he took at our Christmas social.

Enjoy!

[Show as slideshow]

Norwegian Irish Society is arranging a quiz night at The Dubliner Saturday 5th of February, starting at 8 pm.

• Teams of four, kr. 100,- per participant.
• Prizes for the winners. With a touch of Irish class!
• Proceeds to support 2011 St. Patrick’s day celebrations.

All are welcome!