A Celtic singer performs inside the Irish House, located under the big white tent on Nelson and Seymour Streets.

The Emerald Isle isn’t usually seen as a hotbed of Winter Olympic talent.  Prior to these Games, Ireland had never won a medal.  A mere six Irish athletes are competing here in Vancouver.  As of yet, none have stepped foot on a podium

But you wouldn’t know any of that from the atmosphere inside Irish House. True to its reputation in past Games, the Irish House has proven among the most boisterous and well-trafficked pavilions of the Olympics.  Dozens of noise complaints don’t lie:  The Irish know how to throw a party.

The open layout of the Irish House can accommodate 700 revelers.

I decided to check things out for myself earlier this evening, before things got too festive for comfort.  The pavilion is actually built on a formerly vacant lot next to Doolin’s, a popular Irish pub and Vancouver institution on the corner of Granville and Nelson Streets.  Under an over-sized white tent, a little bit of Ireland has been recreated.  Stone ruins inscribed with Celtic runes poke through the floor, which is carpeted in a luxuriant, emerald-green fake grass   On two sides, rise the facades of ancient castles, balconies conveniently retrofitted with a bar and DJ booth.

But the main thing you’ll notice upon entering Irish House is the beer.  A full week of Olympic revelry has given the pavilion a rich bouquet that tells of thousands and thousands of spilled pints.  Various bars line the walls of the house, serving the requisite Guinness in draft and in bottles ($9), as well as Canadian brews ($8) and a selections of spirits ($8 or $9).  There’s also Irish food of varying degrees of authenticity, from steak and Guinness pie ($8.50) to the Dubliner burger ($6).

Irish bands perform both day and night inside the Irish House.

When I arrived, the party was just getting started.  Loudspeakers pumped out a techno version of Whisky in the Jar-o, while fans in Canada jerseys milled about double-fisting cans of Molson.  Suddenly the music cut out and Red Robinson – Vancouver’s iconic rock ‘n’ roll DJ and a proud Irishman – introduced a Celtic rock band.  They started slow with a Van Morrison cover before launching into an Irish jig that drew an enthusiastic crowd onto the dance floor.

Now, the Irish House holds about 700 people.  It was less than half full at this point and already feeling a bit raucous.  At capacity, it’s bound to be a very wild party – loud, high-energy and packed with merry-makers, both Irish and Irish-at-heart.   The cover charge is $10 before 7 p.m. and $20 after 7 p.m.

Next door to the Irish House, Doolin's offers a more traditional Irish pub atmosphere.

But if that’s not your scene,consider heading next door to Doolin’s pub for a slightly different Irish vibe.  Full of lots of dark wood, Doolin’s is honeycombed with intimate rooms and passages and dominated by a big bar in front.  It has a more traditional Irish pub feel and might appeal to those looking for less of a carnival-type atmosphere.