Do Norwegians Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day and I’m so curious about this question. Do Norwegians have any affiliation with the Irish? And come to find out, they do! These two cultures have a long history together so it’s no wonder that even though it’s not a National holiday, they still celebrate it. So I’m here to share some history as well as what they do today to celebrate this holiday.
Norwegians and Irish History
It all starts back in the 700s when Vikings start looking for land in other countries. You see, the younger sons of Viking noblemen didn’t inherit anything from their fathers. So they had to look elsewhere for their inheritance. This was one of the reasons they started pillaging nearby settlements. Then when the longboats were invented, they started venturing more and more out into the sea until they reached Britain and Ireland.
By the 850s the Vikings had become fully integrated into the life of Ireland. This included fashions, jewelry, arms, trade, along with marrying Irish women and becoming Christian. Many Irish cities and towns still bear Viking settlement names such as Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Strangford, etc. Of course, they would have had a different pronunciation back then.
And they were there well into the 1000s until the Irish finally wrestled back control of the Viking towns. They were merchants and traders and did very well for themselves during this period. Very interesting, huh?
So that’s it in a nutshell. And if you want to learn more about their history you can check out Viking Answer Lady. She has a wealth of knowledge on Vikings in Ireland and I had a lot of fun just reading her stuff. So now when I see all of the green come out for St. Patrick’s Day, I will definitely be thinking of the Vikings as part of it.
Norway and Ireland Today
Norway has held a formal parade for St. Patrick’s Day every year in Oslo since 2000. The Norwegian Irish Society started this to help everyone better appreciate Irish heritage. And to bring more awareness of the many Irish people who live within Norway and many other countries. It’s mostly filled with Irish Ex-Pats living in Norway, but they celebrate with good music, food, dance, and, of course, everything green. I had no idea this was even going on over there. Norway isn’t the only country where the Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They actually celebrate all over the world even in Asian countries with parades or other festivities. So even though Vikings aren’t raiding the Irish shores any longer, they still have a very close connection today.
My Thoughts on Norway and St. Patrick’s Day
When I think of Norway I immediately think of Vikings and their many voyages. But I forget that these same Vikings did establish settlements and thrived in many foreign lands. They settled down, had families, created businesses, and integrated themselves into many cultures. It’s no wonder that that same adventurous spirit is alive and well in Norwegians of today. Now I really will think of Norwegians being a part of St. Patrick’s Day, but more from a historical perspective instead of a holiday one.
So enjoy this holiday and remember to honor your ancestors while you’re celebrating.
And as always…good luck and happy hunting!
Tiffany
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Alisha
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!