Norway and Ireland enjoy a robust trading relationship, with annual reciprocal trade in goods and services exceeding €5 billion. Key Irish exports to Norway include power-generating machinery, metal ores and medical and pharmaceutical products; while Norway primarily exports metals, fish and fertilisers to Ireland. Norway is now home to 2,000 Irish citizens who are making their mark in business and culture throughout the country.
It is unsurprising to find we share 20 per cent of our DNA with our Norwegian friends: Ireland and Norway have strong historical connections dating back to the 10th century when Vikings established settlements in Ireland.
Norway’s second-largest city Bergen, often referred to charmingly as the “gateway to the fjords”, offers a unique blend of history, nature, and culture. Nestled between seven hills and a bustling harbour, this small city feels like a living postcard, with its colourful wooden houses and dramatic backdrop of mountains and the North Sea. With a direct route from Dublin airport and the kroner at an all-time low, it’s a perfect time to mix business with pleasure in Bergen.
Founded more than 900 years ago, Bergen was once the capital of Norway and served as a key centre for the Hanseatic League, a powerful trade network in the medieval period. The city’s rich history is evident in its old wooden buildings, winding streets and the ancient wharfs of Bryggen, a Unesco World Heritage site, which has been preserved as a historic area and now houses a collection of charming shops selling Fair Isle woollens, alongside cosy bars and eateries.
A funicular railway runs from the city to the peak of Mount Floyen. The prize on arrival after the eight-minute journey is a stunning view: a city tucked within its fjord, framed by distant snow-capped peaks, where paragliders, climbers and cyclists bring the landscape to life. There’s a full bar and restaurant at the top. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of champagne or a cocktail.
Located in the heart of the city by the harbour, the Fish Market is a must-visit. Fresh fish, seafood, local produce and Norwegian delicacies are available to taste or buy. If you are going to try anything, make it Bergen’s famous fish soup, a local favourite that’s perfect for warming up on a chilly day, which is likely to be the case - Bergen experiences about 239 days of rain per year.
The relatively compact city boasts a rich cultural scene with several attractions for art and music enthusiasts. Kode, one of Scandinavia’s most significant art museums, houses the largest collection of Edvard Munch’s works outside Oslo, alongside masterpieces by renowned Norwegian artists such as JC Dahl.
Classical music fans should make their way to Troldhaugen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg. Now a museum, it offers insight into his life and work. For contemporary art lovers, Bergen Kunsthall showcases exhibitions from both Norwegian and international artists. Harriet Backer: Every Atom is a Colour opened on February 21st, 2025, and runs until August 24th. Backer is a leading contemporary artist in Norway, this exhibit delves into her life and cultural evolution during a transformative period for women.
Stay
The Hanseatic Hotel is a boutique hotel offering 37 stylish rooms in charming surroundings, just a short walk from the city’s attractions. The hotel is a part of Finnegaarden at Hanseatic Wharf. The hotel’s interior is redolent of the time when Bryggen was a Hanseatic port. It houses several restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine, a cosy lobby bar, in addition to excellent conference facilities.
Eat
Bryggeloftet – hearty Norweigian country fare – suits the cosy dining room, which has a handsome fireplace, oil paintings depicting the city’s maritime past, and wooden display cases filled with model ships and other artifacts. A reindeer fillet in a cream sauce comes highly recommended, as do the monkfish and the venison. Solo dining is a very common and frequent occurrence in Norway, making it a particularly appealing destination for solo travellers on business trips.
Drink
There are many taverns, cocktail bars and cafes in Bergen, but travellers in self-catering accommodations, of which there are many, may want to note Bergen’s slightly pesky licensing laws. Beer and cider (up to 4.7 per cent alcohol) can be bought in supermarkets until 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays, with no sales on Sundays or public holidays. Stronger alcohol (wine, spirits) is only available from Vinmonopolet, which closes around 6pm on weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays and is also closed on Sundays.
Fly
Wideroe operates four weekly direct flights from Dublin to Bergen. The service launched in April 2023, and it opens connections to other Norwegian destinations, such as Bodo and Tromso.
