The Irish blessings that will warm your heart

The Irish are wonderful folk.  Over thousands of years they’ve developed a blessing for everything – birthdays, funerals or just to get through the everyday.  In honour of St Patrick’s Day we’ve assembled the best of the Irish blessings here today.   And it’s important to note that while many of the old blessings request the help or intervention of God in some way, it does not always mean that the person saying them regards him or herself as being very religious. These blessings, whether in Gaelic or English, were the way Irish people had of expressing hope, desire for a better future and solidarity with their family, friends and neighbours, a lovely sentiment.  

“May the road rise to meet you, 
may the wind be ever at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
and the rains fall soft upon your fields. 
And until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.” Irish Blessing

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“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” Irish Blessing

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“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.” Irish Blessing

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“Health and long life to you,
Land without rent to you,
A child every year to you,
If you can’t go to Heaven,
May you die in Ireland.” Irish Blessing

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“May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two; 
May the sun always shine on your windowpane; 
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; 
May the hand of a friend always be near you; 
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. Irish Blessing

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“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.” Irish Blessing

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“May your neighbours respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.” Irish Blessing

“May joy and peace surround you, 
contentment latch your door, 
and happiness be with you now
and bless you evermore!”  Irish Blessing

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“May the blessing of God’s soft rain be on you, 
Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul 
With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming. 
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you, 
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight. 
May the blessing of God’s earth be on you, and as you walk the roads, 
May you always have a kind word for those you meet.”  Irish Blessing

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“May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.”  Irish Blessing

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“May happiness often enter your gate and stay very late.
May pleasure walk with you;
May luck smile upon you; and
May joy be at home in your heart.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Irish Blessing

Which is your favourite Irish blessing?