Traditional Irish Blessing (How to Guide)
Traditional Irish Blessing Prayer
If you have been fortunate enough to be present at a wedding where a traditional Irish Blessing has been given by one of the parents of the bride or the groom, you know what a sweet moment this can be.
Perhaps you are Irish, but the likelihood is you are not. Thanks to St. Patrick's Day, we know that it is always okay to be a little bit Irish for a time. maybe you aren't the greatest speechwriter or a gifted orator, but that doesn't matter. With these blessings and prayers, you can always and on a high note.
Throughout the history of Ireland, the Irish people have always had a strong relationship with Christianity. this dates back of course to the great Bishop and St. Patrick who famously ran all of the snakes out of Ireland. You can channel his great faith and most certainly moisten some eyes if you have to give a wedding speech or toast.
Being a wedding photographer, I have a lot of experience with wedding speeches. most of course our average, some can be brutal long drawn out affair's but many of the best ones to keep it short pithy and touching. I would strongly advise that it is better to leave the wedding guests wanting a bit more, rather than looking at their watch wondering when the bar will reopen. if you have been to any weddings yourself, there is a great likelihood that you know exactly what I'm talking about. ;-)
Before I get to the list of Irish blessings, you will notice that they can range wildly in both sentiment and length. From short and punchy, too long and comprehensive. I'm sure you can find something that will suit your style.
One small note. I usually see the mother of the bride or groom giving the Irish blessing. Not sure the reason, maybe that’s a traditional thing? The idea of a father’s blessing is about as traditional as it gets though. Not sure. Maybe it’s just mom’s put in a bit more effort into their speeches! Regardless, if you are here, and this article can help you out, you have my blessing too :)
Here is a video of the short version of this blessing I was able to find on YouTube.
Popular Irish Blessings
Traditional
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
Travel Blessing (Similar but a bit different)
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.May good luck be with you Wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.
May your days be many and your troubles be few, May all God’s blessings descend upon you, May peace be within you, May your heart be strong, May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know when you’re going too far.
Wedding Blessings
May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me.
As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me.
As light to the eye,
as bread to the hungry,
as joy to the heart,
may thy presence be with me,
oh one that I love,
’til death comes to part us asunder.May your joys be as bright as the morning, and your sorrows merely be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.
May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, enough trials to keep you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to keep you happy, enough failure to keep you humble, enough success to keep you eager, enough friends to give you comfort, enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness, enough wealth to meet your needs and one thing more; Enough determination to make each day a more wonderful day than the one before.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate is said to have had this fairly long Irish Blessing carved upon his breastplate. Now, of course, that could likely not be the case, and might be symbolic of the idea of him having these words close to his heart. Regardless, this is super sweet. The second last verse is oft the most quoted, but here is the entire poem, and you can always pick and choose, and take your favorite bits!
St. Patrick’s Blessing
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
Short and Popular!
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Home Blessing
May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now,
And bless you evermore.Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
Friendship Blessings
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
Good Luck Blessings
May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.May your home be filled with laughter
May your pockets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness
Your Irish heart can hold.May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.May luck be a friend to ye,
And be with ye in all yer days,
And may trouble be to ye,
A stranger, alwaysMay the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load, may the mist of Irish magic shorten every road, may you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed, and may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed
Blessings about Ireland
Hills as green as emeralds
Cover the countryside
Lakes as blue as sapphires-
And Ireland’s special pride
And rivers that shine like silver
Make Ireland look so fair-
But the friendliness of her people
Is the richest treasure there.May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold youMay the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.
May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland’s faith and pride.
Another popular blessing that can be used on all occasions is this one – it’s also much easier to remember than St. Patrick’s breastplate!
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Blessings for the Home
May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now,
And bless you evermore.Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
Friendship Blessings
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
Celtic Knot sterling silver interlacing. The most famous Irish symbol of eternity
Good Luck Blessings
May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.May your home be filled with laughter
May your pockets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness
Your Irish heart can hold.May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.May luck be a friend to ye,
And be with ye in all yer days,
And may trouble be to ye,
A stranger, alwaysMay the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load, may the mist of Irish magic shorten every road, may you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed, and may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed
Blessings about Ireland
Hills as green as emeralds
Cover the countryside
Lakes as blue as sapphires-
And Ireland’s special pride
And rivers that shine like silver
Make Ireland look so fair-
But the friendliness of her people
Is the richest treasure there.May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold youMay the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.
May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland’s faith and pride.
Another good one that has a lot of relevance to a wedding toast.
Blessings for Children
Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play-
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song-
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long!May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.
O Thou, to whom to love and be are one,
Hear my faith cry for themWho are more thine than mine.
Give each of them what is best for each.
I cannot tell what it is.
But Thou knowest.
I only ask Thou love them and keep them
With the loving and keeping Thou didst
Show to Mary’s Son and Thine.
Long Life Blessings
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.
May God grant you many years to live,
For sure He must be knowing
The earth has angels all too few
And heaven is overflowing.Here’s to a long life and a merry one
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest oneA cold beer and another one!
Lastly here is a list of short little bits and pieces of blessings that can have just that little bit of punch you need.
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings.
May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
May you always have walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire.
May you have love that never ends,
Lots of money, and lots of friends
Health be yours, whatever you do
And may God send many blessings to you!
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
May you live long,
Die happy,
And rate a mansion in heaven.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
May the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Here's to you and yours
And to mine and ours.
And if mine and ours
Ever come across to you and yours,
I hope you and yours will do
As much for mine and ours
As mine and ours have done
For you and yours!
May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.
Here's a toast to your enemies' enemies!
Rye bread will do you good,
Barley bread will do you no harm,
Wheaten bread will sweeten your blood,
Oaten bread will strengthen your arm.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way,
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
May there be a generation of children
On the children of your children.
May you live to be a hundred years,
With one extra year to repent!
May the Lord keep you in His hand
And never close His fist too tight.
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
When we drink, we get drunk.
When we get drunk, we fall asleep.
When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let's all get drunk, and go to heaven!
Here's to your coffin!
May your coffin have six handles of finest silver!
May your coffin be carried by six fair young maids!
And may your coffin be made of finest wood
from a 100-year-old tree,
that I'll go plant tomorrow!
May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.
May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
There are good ships, and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
And may they always be.
Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.
May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus, too.
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor,
Quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May you have food and raiment,
A soft pillow for your head,
May you be forty years in heaven
Before the devil knows you're dead.
May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright happy hours,
That stay with you all year long.
May peace and plenty be the first
To lift the latch on your door,
And happiness be guided to your home
By the candle of Christmas.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.
Here's to the four hinges of society.
May you fight, steal, lie and drink.
When you fight, may you fight for your country.
When you steal, may you steal away from bad company.
When you lie, may you lie at the side of your sweetheart.
And when you drink, may you drink with me.
May the roof over our heads never fall in.
And may we as friends never fall out.
May you have
No frost on your spuds,
No worms on your cabbage.
May your goat give plenty of milk.
And if you inherit a donkey,
May she be in foal.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May you get all your wishes but one
so you always have something to strive for!
May I see you gray and combing your grandchildren's hair.
A sunbeam to warm you, Good luck to charm you.
A Sheltering angel, So nothing can harm you,
Laughter to cheer you, Faithful friends near you,
And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May your heart be warm and happy
With the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.
There are only two kinds of people in the world,
The Irish, and those who wish they were.
Health and a long life to you.
Land without rent to you.
A child every year to you.
And if you can't go to heaven,
May you at least die in Ireland.
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.
Get on your knees
and thank the Lord
you're on your feet.
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
May the most you wish for
Be the least you get.
May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do.
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
May God grant you many years to live,
For sure He must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few,
And heaven is overflowing.
May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.
As you slide down the bannister of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way!
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
May I see you gray
And combing your grandchildren's hair.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.
Well! I hope that helps. Good luck with your wedding speech!
Enjoy!