Irish blessings come in all forms—funny, formal, heartfelt, and wise—woven into the fabric of Irish tradition.
Whether steeped in faith or simply offering words of comfort and good fortune, Irish prayers have a way of marking life’s moments with warmth and meaning.
Here, you’ll find a collection of blessings passed down through generations—perfect for everything from weddings and toasts to St. Patrick’s Day tributes. Cheers!
A collection of Irish blessings and prayers
Adding Irish prayers to a big day, occasion or even a card gives a little nod to Ireland while also wishing a person(s) luck and prosperity.
Below, you’ll find everything from funny Irish blessings to Irish wishes that are suitable for every occasion.
1. May the road
Few traditional Irish blessings are as widely known and loved as ‘May the road rise to meet you‘.
“May the road rise up 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.”
2. May you be poor in misfortune
Next is one of the short Irish blessings, using opposites to create a striking message that captures the listener’s attention from start to finish.
“May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, Slow to make enemies, Quick to make friends, But rich or poor, quick or slow, May you know nothing but, Happiness from this day forward.”
3. May green be the grass
A popular Irish birthday blessing, this one wishes for a life filled with beauty, joy, and love—rooted in nature’s colours and the warmth of those who care for you.
“May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you,
That pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.”
4. Wishing you a rainbow
If you’re looking for short Irish wishes that are easy to memorise and recite, this is a great option.
5. An old Irish blessing
“May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come. May the love of this here couple, their unity of spirit, grow deeper and stronger in the uncertainties and changes of life they will share. Loving each other, may they love all persons.
Trusting each other, may they learn to trust life. May their love reach out to the love of all, that their lives may bless all whose lives they touch.
May they find comfort together in shared hours of shadow, as well as in the bright sunshine of joy.
May they be to each other both strong and gentle. May all who follow their lives with interest and affection have cause to rejoice not alone in their happiness, but in their brave and generous living which makes life beautiful and significant.”
6. For every storm a rainbow
“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.”
7. May the lilt of Irish laughter
With references to the mist of Irish magic and lilting Irish laughter, this short Irish blessing is one of the more popular for those looking for short Irish blessings that captures that elusive “Irishness”.
“May 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 favours you are owed.”
8. May the hand of a friend
Above is one of the more popular Irish prayers for luck, carrying a theme of prosperity from beginning to end.
9. May your hands be forever clasped
“May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your Irish blessings increase. May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love. Your lives are very special, and God has touched you in many ways. May his blessings rest upon you and fill all your coming days.”
10. May the roof above never fall
Short Irish blessing quotes can often be hard to come by, with many stretching over 4+ lines at a minimum. However, if you’re looking for a very short Irish prayer, you can’t go wrong with this one.
“May the roof above us never fall in, And those gathered beneath it never fall out.”
11. May you have all the happiness
A popular one for Irish wedding blessings, this is short, sweet and has plenty of ‘Irishness’ in it.
“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.”
12. To live below with the Saints
This is one of several slightly funny Irish sayings for family gatherings that appears in this guide.
“To live above with the Saints we love, Ah, that is the purest glory. To live below with the Saints we know, Ah, that is another story.”
13. A short Irish farewell blessing
“May today’s laughter become tomorrow’s fond memory, And may kindness and cheer light your way, Until we cross paths again.”
14. May love and laughter
This is a popular positive Irish blessing for friends or parents to bestow upon the happy couple, and it also works well as an Irish wedding toast.
“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.”
15. Gladness waiting everywhere
Many of the most popular Irish blessing quotes revolve around a theme of ‘luck’, and this one is no different.
“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.”
16. For today an every day
Although you’d imagine that more Irish sayings would mention shamrocks, many of them don’t.
“For each petal on the shamrock, This brings a wish your way, Good health, good luck, and happiness, For today and every day.”
17. Walls of laughter
If you’re looking for short Irish blessings for a new home, this one should fit the bill very nicely.
18. Turned ankles
Next is one of the more light-hearted Irish prayers that wishes the listener/reader popularity.
“May those who love you love you, And those who don’t love you, May god turn their hearts. And if he doesn’t turn their hearts, May he turn their ankles so you’ll know them by their limping”.
19. May brooks, trees and singing hills
This is a gentle Irish blessing for healing and happiness that’ll be best suited to a card or text.
It’s likely part of a longer Irish prayer, but this verse, albeit small, packs a punch.
“May brooks and trees and singing hills Join in the chorus, too. And every gentle wind that blows Send happiness to you.”
20. Irish angels
Next up is another Irish prayer that’ll fit nicely into a wedding ceremony or within a card.
“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings Right beside your door”.
21. Bless the roof
This is another of the short Irish blessings for a new home, although it’s more religious that the previous ones. This Irish prayer would work great in a card to congratulate the new home owners.
22. In good times and bad
This is one of the longer Irish prayers and, if you’re going to incorporate it into your big day, the reader will need to practice it.
“In good times and bad times, in sickness and health, may they know that riches aren’t needed for wealth. Help them face problems they’ll meet on their way—God bless this couple who marry today.
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind, may the rough times ahead become triumphs in time, may their children be happy each day—God bless this family who started today.
As they go, may they know every love that was shown, and as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow. Wherever they travel, wherever they stay, God bless this couple who marry today.”
23. To all those who dwell inside
Another Irish prayer for a new home, this is a lovely little note that’ll work well in a print out that’s framed or within a card.
“May the Grace of God’s protection, And His great love abide, Within your home and within the hearts, Of all who dwell inside.”
24. May you see your children’s children
This is another of the Irish prayers focuses on the important things in life – God, health and happiness (which is why it’s a popular Irish wedding toast).
“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.”
25. Remember to forget
This is a short and sweet Irish blessing prayer that can be used in everything from retirement cards to wedding toasts.
26. May your glass be ever full
While there aren’t many funny Irish blessings, this one will definitely raise a few smiles, wishing for safety and prosperity in this life and the next.
“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.”
27. An Irish prayer for healing
“Lord, you are the source of all healing. Lay your hands upon me, bring comfort to my body and peace to my soul. In Your mercy, restore me to health. Amen.”
28. Never ending love
Next up is a nice jolly one that’ll works well for congratulating the arrival of a newborn.
“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”.
29. A blessing of light
This is one of the longer Irish prayers in this guide and it’s arguably best suited to a wedding ceremony alongside Irish wedding poems.
30. A light and happy heart
Short and simple, this Irish wish revolves around happiness and reminds the listener of the important things in life.
“May your heart be light and happy, May your smile be big and wide, And may your pockets always have A coin or two inside!”
31. Gratitude
You’ll see this blessing framed quite a bit but it’ll work well in a card, too.
“Always remember to forget The things that made you sad. But never forget to remember The things that made you glad.”
32. Forever and ever after
If Irish prayers aren’t your thing, this is a short and snappy Irish saying that’ll go down a treat at any occasion.
“May your heart be warm and happy With the lilt of Irish laughter Every day in every way And forever and ever after.”
33. May you both
This is a short Irish blessing that works really well as a casual toast.
34. The luck of the Irish
Although the term ‘the Luck of the Irish‘ has negative origins, it’s use here is acceptable.
“May the luck of the Irish, Lead to happiest heights. And the highway you travel, Be lined with green lights. Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you.”
35. Joy and peace
“May joy and peace surround you both, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now, and God bless you evermore.
May you live your life with trust, and nurture lifelong affection, May your lifelong dreams come true for you, move ever that direction”.
36. A letter to Ireland
So, this is one of the cheesier Irish quotes that you’ll likely only hear in the likes of the States.
“Here’s to the land of the shamrock so green, Here’s to each lad and his darlin’ colleen, Here’s to the ones we love dearest and most. May god bless old Ireland, that’s this Irishman’s toast!”
37. A rustic blessing
This is the longer version of one of the most popular Irish wishes, ‘May the road rise to meet you’.
38. One for wisdom
One of the more popular Irish travel blessings, this next one is perfect for a farewell card for a friend that’s off on an adventure.
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, The foresight to know where you are going, And the insight to know when you have gone too far.”
39. Blessings for friends
“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.”
40. An Irish prayer for strength
“May God give you the strength to face each day, The courage to walk through storms, And the wisdom to know you never walk alone.”
41. At the end of your rainbows
If you’re after Irish sayings for good luck, this toast packs several of the symbols of Ireland into a handful of sentences.
“May you have all the happiness And luck that life can hold— And at the end of all your rainbows May you find a pot of gold.”
42. You and yours and mine and ours
The last of our short Irish blessings can be a little bit tricky when you read it aloud the first time.
Related reads: See my guide to Irish Christmas blessings, Irish New Year blessings, Irish Thanksgiving blessings, Irish baby blessings, Irish friendship blessings and Irish drinking toasts.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.