I have observed this session many times. It is more a singing session really, but not even an Irish singing session, anything goes here, it’s rather like a few old hippies get together and celebrate their leftovers from the sixties. There are plenty English songs, country (cheesy stuff), Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Beatles, Dolly Parton, the whole soundtrack of “Brother where are thou?”, “My way”, “Those were the days”… you get the picture!
Yes, you hear an Irish song now and then: “Dirty old town”, “The rocky road to Dublin”, “The boys of county Down”… you know…
I’m not saying that that’s bad music or anything, but don’t be fooled, a session of ITM this is NOT.
There are some people who play tunes as well, but generally the level is very low, and they have been playing the same five tunes for the last ten years or so, which after a while gets a bit boring I’d say.
Often there is one melody instrument backed by five guitars (not exaggerating), spoons, bodhrans, shaky banana (not an egg), and oh my God… kazoo!
The session on Tuesdays being specially bad.
Although there are some very good musicians in Oslo who can really play ITM to an advanced level, they rarely go to this sessions. Wonder why?
Once in a while on a Saturday you are lucky and get two or three good musicians together, and no folk singers, and there is a decent session, but that doesn’t happen very often.
Nobody gets paid in these sessions, maybe that’s why things are like they are…
You're absolutely right. If you are at all religious about your Irish music then the Tuesday session at the Dubliner is not the place to be... on the other hand if you want an enjoyable musical evening with no 'rules' about what people are allowed to play or sing then it's worth a try. The ratio of tunes to songs varies greatly depending quite simply on who turns up. As does the quality of the music, but that's the price we pay for being a session that welcomes anybody who wants to join in.
Your examples of what's typically sung there are a tad biased (I can only think of one single song from 'O Brother where art thou' that's been sung there in the last 10 years for example). Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Dougie Maclean would have been a better selection seen from my (also biased point of view. OK, they aren't Irish - but nobody ever said that this was an 'Irish music only' session in the first place. And you obviously have an open mind on what's Irish yourself given that 'Dirty Old Town' is your first choice for an Irish song
You're also right that nobody gets paid, but anyone who participates actively in the session can buy their beer at 35NOK a go which as anyone who lives in Oslo can tell you is a pretty good deal for a pub in the city centre.
Many a good day and night has been had in this, probably the best, Irish Pub in Norway. Congratulations to Olav for helping to create such a beautiful pub. Davy Dick and others should be praised for spending many years dedication in helping to promote some lovely Irish tunes, such as the Friendly Visit Hornpipe and the Wonder Hornpipe, and spreading the gospel of ITM and encouraging enthusiasm for great Trad Music. At it's hey day in the mid 90's when River dance fever was raging there would be three rows deep in fiddles and banjos. Now with the advent of mobile phone sessions word get's around if a good player is in town and numerous musicians may come out of the woodwork to grace the session. My personal record of enjoyment in this pub was13 hours (2pm until 3am). It is often attended by people wishing to grasp the pub culture of Britain and Ireland which is not so prevalent in the high beer priced world of Scandinavia. The name Dubliner by the way is commonly used but not necessarily connected with other pubs of the same name for example there's one in Copenhagen where a sign on the front door loudly claims that breakfast will not be served later than 5pm!
Happy playing and singing.
Dubliner in Oslo
Tuesday session starts around 2100 in the back room. More of a singer's session, but there are definately tunes to be had.
Saturday session starts around 1600 in the front bar. All sorts, depending on who is in town.
# Posted on September 18th 2003 by snorre
Dubliner in Oslo
Tuesdays also tend to be better suited for beginners, though beginners are welcome either day.
# Posted on October 13th 2003 by pelsor
This is not a session of ITM
I have observed this session many times. It is more a singing session really, but not even an Irish singing session, anything goes here, it’s rather like a few old hippies get together and celebrate their leftovers from the sixties. There are plenty English songs, country (cheesy stuff), Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Beatles, Dolly Parton, the whole soundtrack of “Brother where are thou?”, “My way”, “Those were the days”… you get the picture!
Yes, you hear an Irish song now and then: “Dirty old town”, “The rocky road to Dublin”, “The boys of county Down”… you know…
I’m not saying that that’s bad music or anything, but don’t be fooled, a session of ITM this is NOT.
There are some people who play tunes as well, but generally the level is very low, and they have been playing the same five tunes for the last ten years or so, which after a while gets a bit boring I’d say.
Often there is one melody instrument backed by five guitars (not exaggerating), spoons, bodhrans, shaky banana (not an egg), and oh my God… kazoo!
The session on Tuesdays being specially bad.
Although there are some very good musicians in Oslo who can really play ITM to an advanced level, they rarely go to this sessions. Wonder why?
Once in a while on a Saturday you are lucky and get two or three good musicians together, and no folk singers, and there is a decent session, but that doesn’t happen very often.
Nobody gets paid in these sessions, maybe that’s why things are like they are…
# Posted on August 27th 2006 by Observer
No, this is not a session of ITM
You're absolutely right. If you are at all religious about your Irish music then the Tuesday session at the Dubliner is not the place to be... on the other hand if you want an enjoyable musical evening with no 'rules' about what people are allowed to play or sing then it's worth a try. The ratio of tunes to songs varies greatly depending quite simply on who turns up. As does the quality of the music, but that's the price we pay for being a session that welcomes anybody who wants to join in.
Your examples of what's typically sung there are a tad biased (I can only think of one single song from 'O Brother where art thou' that's been sung there in the last 10 years for example). Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Dougie Maclean would have been a better selection seen from my (also biased
point of view. OK, they aren't Irish - but nobody ever said that this was an 'Irish music only' session in the first place. And you obviously have an open mind on what's Irish yourself given that 'Dirty Old Town' is your first choice for an Irish song 
You're also right that nobody gets paid, but anyone who participates actively in the session can buy their beer at 35NOK a go which as anyone who lives in Oslo can tell you is a pretty good deal for a pub in the city centre.
Best regards
Another leftover from the sixties
# Posted on September 4th 2006 by MikeRobertson
beer at 35NOK is a good enough reason for anyone to go there!
I paid over 80NOK for a pint in Bergen recently, that's near on ÂŁ7
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Bren
The Dubliner
Many a good day and night has been had in this, probably the best, Irish Pub in Norway. Congratulations to Olav for helping to create such a beautiful pub. Davy Dick and others should be praised for spending many years dedication in helping to promote some lovely Irish tunes, such as the Friendly Visit Hornpipe and the Wonder Hornpipe, and spreading the gospel of ITM and encouraging enthusiasm for great Trad Music. At it's hey day in the mid 90's when River dance fever was raging there would be three rows deep in fiddles and banjos. Now with the advent of mobile phone sessions word get's around if a good player is in town and numerous musicians may come out of the woodwork to grace the session. My personal record of enjoyment in this pub was13 hours (2pm until 3am). It is often attended by people wishing to grasp the pub culture of Britain and Ireland which is not so prevalent in the high beer priced world of Scandinavia. The name Dubliner by the way is commonly used but not necessarily connected with other pubs of the same name for example there's one in Copenhagen where a sign on the front door loudly claims that breakfast will not be served later than 5pm!
Happy playing and singing.
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by Niels
There's one in Stavanger too!
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by Bren