Two great charity auctions to celebrate St Patrick’s Day!

Ireland shirt currently WAY out in front of the Swedish one at USD$256 – Sweden have only managed a measly USD$127.50!!

Sweden are hosting Ireland in a crucial World Cup qualifier, and we’re taking the chance to bring our two countries closer together for two great causes.

We’ve got two signed shirts – one Irish, one Swedish – up for auction, and all the proceeds will be given to the Lauralynn Foundation and the Stiftelsen för Astrid Lindgrens Banrsjukhus.

So bid early and bid often – here’s the links, what are you waiting for?!

Sweden shirt signed by the squad from the Argentina game.

Ireland shirt signed by the squad for the Sweden game.

Huge thanks to the Football Association of Ireland and to Adidas Scandinavia for providing us with these shirts.

St Patrick’s Day parade postponed

As the state funeral of Princess Lilian will take place on Saturday March 16, this year’s parade has been postponed by one week – for more details, see here.

St Patrick’s Day program now online!

The Swedish-Irish Society is delighted to present the biggest-ever St Patrick’s Day program to run in the Swedish capital, and you can download your copy here.

The World Cup qualifier between Sweden and Ireland may be the sporting highpoint, but before that there will be a broad program of cultural and community events taking place, from art exhibitions to an evening of Irish comedy at Södra Teatern. Stockholm will also see its biggest-ever St Patrick’s Day parade as over 1000 people are expected to join in.

The parade starts from Kungliga Biblioteket at 1300 and finishes at Kornhamnstorg in Gamla Stan.

Spuds and Sill present: “Happy Families”

The play is about a Irish family in Dublin, present day. Set in a busy Irish living room a revolving door of family members and friends arrive for their annual traditional Christmas gathering.

Irish Comedy Improv at Södra Teatern

Irländsk humor när den är som bäst!!

Details of full St Patrick’s Day program – coming soon!

We’re hoping to publish full details of the whole St Patrick’s Day program very soon, as well as information on how you can win an Irish and/or Swedish soccer jersey signed by the whole team – check back for details!

Winter program updated!

The website has now been updated with information about a slew of upcoming events in the winter months- click on the links in the “Latest News” section to the right to find out about the Christmas Party, an exhibition by much-loved Irish artist and former Stockholm resident Tracy Sweeney, and a festival of Irish culture to  celebrate Samhain!

The return of the Liffey pub quiz!

If you’re living in or visiting Stockholm, why not test your knowledge at the pub quiz at the Liffey, which returns after the summer break.

This popular quiz night is also proud to announce that Irish airline Aer Lingus is now a partner, and that you and your team could win trips to Ireland for taking part! The flights will go to the team with the highest combined score after the first four quizzes of the new season.

To be in with a chance to win, send an e-mail to info@theliffey.se and book your place at the quiz today!

Newsletter- soon in an inbox near you!

The latest edition of the SIS newsletter will soon be winging its way to your inbox, with details of upcoming events this autumn.

It features news of the return of Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill and Lunasa to these shores, as well as performances in Gothenburg and Stockholm by legendary blues and jazz singer Mary Coughlan.

After some technical glitches, we’ve spent a lot of time updating the systems that are the backbone of our communications and membership registers, and we hope that that work is now complete.

If you haven’t received a reply to your query, please e-mail info (at) swedishirish.com and we’ll answer as soon as we can.

AGM and a feast of Gaelic football!

SIS Annual General Meeting – 18.30 Tuesday 22 May

On Tuesday 22 May, the Society hosts its Annual General Meeting at the Embassy of Ireland in Stockholm. The meeting begins at 18.30 and will be followed by a drinks mingle. It is your opportunity to outline where you would like to see the Swedish Irish Society’s focus in the year ahead, what events we should arrange and how, together, we can foster ties between Ireland and Sweden.

All current and prospective SIS members are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of good conversation and good company.

Scandinavian Football Championship & Family Day – 13.00 Saturday 12 May

Before then, the Society is pleased to invite members to enjoy an afternoon of Gaelic sports and activities marking the first round Scandinavian Football Championship, which takes place at Gärdet Sportfält in Stockholm on Saturday, 12 May.

The tournament sees the ladies and men’s Stockholm Gaels compete with footballers from Gothenburg, Malmo and Oslo in pursuit of the Scandinavian Championship. Children’s activities and games are being held from 13.00, with refreshments served throughout the day. No registration is required – just come along with friends and family and enjoy a great day’s Gaelic games!

St Patrick’s Day – National Day, International Celebration!

It might already have a reputation as one of the world’s green cities, but this March Stockholm is set to get a whole lot greener as it celebrates St Patrick’s Day. For a full list of events, click here.

St Patrick’s Day, 17th March, is both Ireland’s national day and a day of international celebration. Seventy million people worldwide trace their origins to the ‘emerald isle’ and on St Patrick’s Day they and many millions of others who share an affinity with Ireland come together to ‘wear the green’ and join in one of the great global parties.

This year’s celebrations in Stockholm will be the biggest yet, culminating in the St Patrick’s Day parade on March 17 – to keep up with the latest news around what promises to be the biggest and best Irish festival ever held in Sweden, visit our Facebook page and click “Join”!

Marshalls needed!

Last year saw our biggest-ever St Patrick’s Day parade, and this year we intend to make it even BIGGER!!

To do so, we are looking for volunteers to act as marshalls along the route. The marshalls will assist the police in making sure that we safely navigate the streets of Stockholm to our final destination at Kornhamnstorg in Gamla Stan.

If you’re interested please mail our chief organizer Hans Wigholm, hans.wigholm@one.se or call him on 0763-131550 for further details. Your early reply is highly appreciated!

Please contact Hans by February 25th at the latest if you wish to volunteer.

Breakfast Book Sale at Wirströms, Gamla Stan, Sunday Feb 5

The evenings might be getting longer but it’s still cold out there- so why not join us in Wirströms of Gamla Stan (Stora Nygatan 13), where you can meet freinds old and new for a hearty Irish breakfast, and find plenty of books, films and CDs to while away the winter nights!

The evenings might be getting longer but it’s still cold out there- so why not join us in Wirströms of Gamla Stan (Stora Nygatan 13), where you can meet freinds old and new for a hearty Irish breakfast, and find plenty of books, films and CDs to while away the winter nights!

For more details, see the Facebook event page.

Knuckle to broadcast on SVT 1

Ian Palmer’s documentary on the world of bare-knuckle fighting within the Irish Traveller community made its Swedish debut during the Stockholm International Film Festival in November 2011. The captivating film, shot over a period of 12 years, is to be broadcast on SVT 1 at 22:00 this coming Tuesday, 31st January and 01:00 on Wednesday, 1st February.

For further information see SVT Dox or Knuckle’s official homepage

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Beannachtaí na Nollaig agus na hAthbhliana

With the Christmas holidays approaching we would like to wish all the Swedish Irish Society members a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. In a televised broadcast on RTÉ the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, also sent his ”best wishes to everyone here in Ireland and to our extended global family across the world.”

For the full message and broadcast visit the Embassy of Ireland’s website.

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The English Volunteering Project

A new project has recently been founded to help non-Swedish speakers find interesting and stimulating volunteering opportunities within non-profit organisations in Stockholm. Claire Thomas, Project Manager of the English Volunteering Project is working with Volontärbyrån, Sweden’s volunteering centre, to get the project underway. They currently need support from everyone involved with expats; embassies, companies, community groups, clubs and expats themselves.

Those interested in offering support to this valuable project can contact Claire Thomas on 08-24 14 00 (Volontärbyrån number), 0708 381 573 (mobile) or email:claire.thomas@volontarbyran.org

For further information visit their facebook website or www.volontarbyran.org

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Welcome to our traditional Christmas Dinner Party

Saturday 3rd December, 7pm

Erikbergs Festvåning, Eriksbergsgatan 17A, Östermalm

The evening will start in Erikbergs atmospheric cellar with a welcome drink and a chance to get acquainted with old and new friends. The traditional Christmas Dinner will then take place upstairs in the elegant dining room.

Menu

Lättrökt röding med rotsellerkräm

Spritärtör, tomat, sötsur dillsky

*

Skivad kalkon och kokt skinka med stuffing

Marsalasås, hasselbackspotatis, brysselkål & morötter i ugn

*

Kaffe & petit four

(Vegetarian alternative available, but please let us know in advance).

After dinner our choir will sing traditional Swedish and Irish Christmas carols with all joining in!

As usual we will have a raffle with lots of excellent prizes.

Bar, live music and dancing afterwards in the cellar until 1pm.

Price per person: Members SEK 400, Non Members SEK 450

(This includes welcome drink, starter, dinner and coffee. Other drinks during the evening are at your own cost)

Enroll now by sending an email with your details to bookings@swedishirish.com. Fee to be paid to our PlusGiro account 35 68 90-4. (Don’t forget to give your name(s) here too)

Please enroll before Sunday November 25th.

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W.B. Yeats: Ireland’s Poet

On Novmeber 19th a new exhibition on the life and work of Ireland’s first Nobel prize winner opens at the Nobel Museum with panel discussion featuring some of Sweden and Ireland’s foremost Yeats’ experts. This will be followed by a wine reception. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For booking and further details visit our Events page or Nobel Museum.

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Colm Tóibín – An Evening with an Irish Master

On November 2nd award winning Irish author, Colm Tóibín, reads from his latest work and speaks with fellow author and critic, Erik Andersson at Stockholm’s ABF Huset. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend and spend an evening in the company of an Irish master.

Check out Events page and ABF Huset for further details of this great event.

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Samhain in Stockholm – An Irish November

Samhain, the Celtic festival of the Dead, falls on 1^st November. On Oíche Samhna, Celtic legend says, the ghosts of the dead mingle with the living on route to the otherworld. In the shadows of mighty bonfires, the ancient Irish would celebrate this passing through music, song and dance. This year, Stockholm does the same, as the real spirit of Halloween is unbound in an outstanding programme of Irish cultural events – ‘Samhain in Stockholm’.

The Nordic Feis, a festival of traditional Irish dance, kicks off festivities on October 29^th. On November 2^nd , one of Ireland’s foremost writers and intellectuals, Colm Tóibín, appears at ABF Huset alongside celebrated novelist Erik Andersson. Modern Irish film is showcased from 11 – 14 November as part of the Stockholm International Film Festival, while on the 19^th a new exhibition on the life and work of WB Yeats, Ireland’s first Nobel laureate, opens at the Nobel Museum. And that evening, we end on a high as Anúna, Ireland’s national choir, plays in concert at Sofia Kyrkan alongside acclaimed Finnish violinist Linda Lampenius.

From outstanding writers to astonishing musicians, contemporary films to traditional dance, Samhain in Stockholm offers some of the best of Irish culture. Enjoy a real Halloween this autumn and celebrate Samhain in Stockholm.

Further details to follow..

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Bob Geldof to appear in Sweden

Bob Geldof will play three autumn concerts in Sweden

Legendary Irish singer and charity activist Bob Geldof is coming to Sweden for a series of concerts.

The man behind such hits as “Rat Trap” and “I Don’t Like Mondays” and the driving force behind the “Live Aid” concerts will appear in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Uppsala in October.

For ticket information, visit the Live Nation website.

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Welcome to our annual Seafood Party!

This year we will have an enticing buffet with the best shellfish from Sweden and Ireland:

• Lobster
• Prawns
• Shrimps
• Mussels, and of course the seasonal favourite
• Donegal crabs.

Cost: 250 kr/person for Society members – 295 kr/person for non-members

Register by sending an email to bookings@swedishirish.com and pay the fee into our PlusGiro account number 35 68 90-4

Places are limited, so please enroll now!

NB “Attending” this Event on Facebook does NOT guarantee
a place at the party.

Please note that you must e-mail and pay in advance.

There is a Special Membership Offer at the moment to the Swedish Irish Society: Annual Membership (to the end of 2012) – 100 kr/person

The buffet is kindly sponsored by Seasam.

http://www.seasam.se/cashelmara.htm

This full range of Cashelmara shellfish is now available in shops all over Sweden.

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Join the Swedish-Irish Society and Jameson for a film quiz and whiskey tasting at Wirströms pub in Gamla Stan!

To register, visit the Society Facebook page or send a mail to info@swedishirish.com. Not a member? It’s OK, you can sign up on the night!

Check out the event poster here

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The Importance of Being Earnest

A new Swedish production of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ premieres in Stockholm tomorrow. ‘Mr. Ernest’, as it is known in Swedish, will play at Konditori Lyran in Mälarhöjden throughout August and September. For those interested in attending, tickets can be booked through the teateriris website.

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Bloomsday in the Swedish capital

‘The Swedish Irish Society, in association with the James Joyce Society of Sweden and Finland, is pleased to welcome members to join us on June 16^th as we celebrate the world’s greatest novel, Ulysses.

Our venue is Rönnells Antikvariat, one of Stockholm’s most atmospheric antiquarian book stores. From 19.04 exactly, guests will be treated to a range of entertainment in Swedish and English, including dramatic readings from Spuds and Sill theatre group and a world premiere interpretation of Joyce’s epiphanies.

Food and drink, inspired by Ulysses, will be served on the evening, with a ‘good glass of Burgundy’, ‘a cheese sandwich, Gorgonzola’ and, for those with a taste for it, succulent pork kidney!

Bloomsday costumes are highly encouraged, with prizes for the best dressed Edwardian Dubliners. And, as the evening winds to a close in Rönnells, we are invited to turn to the Regent Pub, where, like ‘Ned, taking up his John Jameson’, we can finish the evening on a high note!

Further details of this great event are available at the Swedish Irish Society’s Facebook page – and why not print out this poster and put it up to share this great event with your friends and colleagues?

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Stockholm Players present “A Confession” and “The Outsider”

When:  Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th May at 20.00

Ticket prices: members 90 SEK, Non-members 120SEK

To reserve your tickets, please send an email stating

• which performance you would like tickets for,
• how many tickets
• and if these are member or non-member tickets.

You can then collect and pay for tickets – cash only – on the evening of the performance at the Stockholm Players table at Dieselverkstaden outside the theatre.

Contact: Send us an email with any questions – we are happy to answer!

How to get there:

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Music non-stop

The winter is well and truly over, and the music festival season is kicking off in style! Aside from the regular trad session at the Bishop’s Arms (next date- Sunday May 29), there is a fascinating festival taking place just a stone’s throw from Stockholm. With Irish artists like Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn playing acoustically- with not a cable in sight- it’s a must-see for the folk or trad music fan.

Later in the summer, the Öland Vikings Music Festival takes place at the end of July- check out their Facebook page for the latest details on lineups, tickets and camping.

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Society AGM- Wednesday May 4

All members are invited to attend the the annual general meeting of the Swedish-Irish Society, which will take place on Wednesday May 4 at 1830 at the Irish Embassy, Hovslagargatan 5 in Stockholm. Members are invited to volunteer their ideas and feedback about the events and activities of the Society and to help define the direction it will take in the coming year.
Wine and cheese will be served after the meeting has ended.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining the committee of the SIS, please contact Britt-Marie Stenborg of the election committee by e-mail. We look forward to seeing you there!____________________________________________________________
What’s happening in Sweden?

Grand Marshal Pelle Blohm and “Molly Malone” prepare for the St Patrick’s Day parade!

It’s March, so that can only mean one thing- ST PATRICK’S DAY!!

Full details about this year’s parade are now online!

There is always something happening in Sweden on the cultural and sporting fronts, and it’s not just confined to the big cities! Irish music can be heard in pubs all over the country, with native Irish acts like Fada and the Brian O’Connor band as well as Swedish devotees of Irish music such as Stamp ‘n Go Shanty and the Tullamore Brothers providing the entertainment.

Heavyweight artists such as the Dubliners, Lúnasa and Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill are regular visitors, as are the major pop and rock acts who tend to frequent the summer festivals and outdoor venues.

On the sporting front, the Scandinavian Gaelic football Championship is shaping up to be the most competitve yet, as reigning champions Stockholm seek to defend their title against Gothenburg, Malmö, Copenhagen, Oslo and newcomers Helsinki. Such is the popularity of the game in the capital city that it might even field two teams in this year’s championship, and the game of hurling is going all the time. More information can be found on the clubs’ websites.

Like gaelic games, the theatre groups in the main centers are great ways to get out and meet people, and volunteers are always required- Spuds and Sill is the name of the English_language theatre company in Stockholm, while in Gothenburg keep an eye out for the Gothenburg English-Speaking THeatre at www.gest.se.

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Anna Roussel avslutar sin folkmusikutbildning på Kungliga Musikhögskolan med en fin musikalisk resa från Bretagne till Sverige via Irland där hon bjuder med sig bretangnska gaïdaspelaren (gaïda är säckpipa) Job Defernez, Absolut Trio, en irlänsk duo med fiolmästaren Anna Lindblad och en spännande “blås-trio” med saxofonisten Jonas Knutsson och traversflöjtisten Markus Tullberg.

Internationell Författarscen

Hugo Hamilton, född 1953, växte upp i Dublin där han idag är bosatt och verksam som författare. Sitt stora genombrott fick han 2003 med ”The Speckled People”. Det är den första av hans böcker som nu ges ut på svenska, med titeln ”De spräckliga”, i översättning av Berit Skogsberg.

For more information, click here.

Celtic Super Night

Berwaldhallen 1 nov 19:30

Exklusivt möte av 4 stora irländska folkusiklegender:

* Lúnasa
* Karan Casey
* Máirtín O´Connor Trio
* Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

Öppna denna poster för mer info!

Irländsk Musik

Stockholm

Söndagen den 30 januari är det dags igen för irländsk session på Bishop´s Arms, Bellmansgatan 12 i Stockholm.
Börjar ca kl 16.00 när dom öppnar.

Göteborg

En schema av de flest sessions som händer. Allt ligger på hemsidan som en av oss Andreas Bladh har gjort:
http://www.timsig.se/

Gothenburg English Speaking Theater

The Gothenburg English Speaking Theater’s (GEST) invite you to the Swedish premiere of COCK, a punchy, playful black-comedy written by one of England’s finest contemporary playwrights! Performing at Folkteatern in Göteborg) 24 November-11 December 2010.

Attached is an invitation (pdf ) with information and a special reduced group price for members.
Please note that all booking must be done through Folkteatern: 031 607575 group bookings (10 or more): 031 607595.

For more information, see www.gest.se

Input Wanted

Let us know about coming events or other news that you think may interest members!

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