In the warmth of a pub, where every raised glass carries a story, an Irish drinking toast can make the room roar with laughter—or leave it in silence.
From heartfelt to hilarious, Irish cheers capture the wit, warmth, and mischief of a good gathering.
Some are packed with playful humour, perfect for sharing over a round with friends, while others are better suited to more poignant moments.
Irish cheers and drinking toasts
Photos via The Harbour Bar on FB
Right, now that we have the etiquette around Irish drinking toast out of the way, let’s get into the toasts themselves.
If you’re looking for some tunes to accompany your toast, see our guide to the best Irish drinking songs.
1. Sláinte
Despite popular belief, ‘Sláinte’ isn’t the Irish word for cheers. ‘Sláinte’ means ‘Health’ in Irish. It’s one of the most common Irish drinking sayings, although you don’t really hear it used in Ireland too often.
Saying cheers in Irish is simple – it’s pronounced ‘Slaan-cha’.
2. This rounds on… that fella
“Let the winds of fortune sail you, And may you sail a gentle sea. And let it always be the other fella who says, ‘Lads – this drink’s on me.’
Many Irish jokes tend to ‘slag’ someone off (i.e. to make fun of, but in a gentle manner). This one isn’t going to get you a load of laugh-out-louds, but it’ll raise a smile on the faces of those in attendance.
3. To loyalty
“My dear friends, they’re the best friends, each is loyal, trust-worthy and able. But now it’s time for drinking, so lift all of your glasses off the table!”
Yes, this next Irish drinking toast revolves around friendship, but this time, there’s a nice rowdy finish to it, that could make it perfect for a toast at the end of a meal before the night’s festivities begin.
4. An Irish drinking toast for the dead
“To those we have loved and lost along the way, may their memory never fade, and may we meet again in a better place.”
This heartfelt toast honors the memory of those we’ve lost, ensuring their spirit lives on in our hearts and stories.
5. The ships
This is one of my favourite Irish cheers toasts as the rhyming pattern makes it easy to memorise.
You could easily use this as a toast around a table with friends or at a wedding or more formal occasion.
6. A dash of humour and health
“I drink to your health when I’m with you, I drink to your health when I’m alone, I drink to your health so often, I’m starting to worry about my own!”
If you’re after short and sweet Irish drinking toasts, this one delivers both wit and wisdom in a single breath—raising a glass to friendship while playfully acknowledging the perils of too many toasts!
7. An oldie, but a goldie
“Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint- and another one!”
Next up is one of the more popular Irish cheers sayings—one you’ve likely heard before. Versatile and timeless, it fits just about any occasion, from weddings and family gatherings to birthdays and everything in between.
Related read: See our guide to funny Irish toasts and old Irish wedding blessings
8. An Irish drinking toast to friendship
“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.”
The majority of Irish cheers sayings revolve around friendship and prosperity. This toast, while short and sweet, packs a punch. It’s length makes it easy to remember and recite, too!
9. Short and sweet
Some of the best Irish drinking toasts are short and sweet and pack fine aul a punch. This is a handy, easy-to-deliver toast that’s perfect for a person of few words.
10. A toast for prosperity
“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!”
If you’re after Irish cheers sayings that wish prosperity, this one’s ideal. Easy to remember, it’s better suited for new beginnings than weddings.
Related read: See our guide to funny Irish sayings that are perfect for using with friends!
11. A toast of thanks
“Always remember to forget, The things that made you sad. But never forget to remember, The things that made you glad.”
Toasts like this are often shared to mark a departure, whether to a distant land or simply another chapter in life. There’s a quiet melancholy to it—one that lingers, easy to recall and recite for years to come.
12. A toast with a bit of wisdom
“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.”
Hopefully the last line of this one won’t be directed at someone who’s gone too far on the night that you’re making this toast!
13. A toast to friends for life
This is one of the more popular Irish toasts, perfect for sharing among close friends.
Its brevity makes it easy to remember, ensuring you’ll have it ready whenever the moment calls for a toast.
Etiquette for Irish drinking toasts
If you’re planning on delivering an Irish cheers toast, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
- Know who you’re toasting with: Sounds obvious, but know your audience. Many Irish drinking sayings contain Irish insults, so what’s witty among friends might not land well elsewhere
- Sense check: Plan on using some Irish slang in your toast? Make sure you understand what it means, first
- Take what you see online with a pinch of salt: Many of guides claim to teach the ‘Perfect Cheers,’ but many toasts aren’t Irish at all. Use the wrong one, and you might get silence instead of smiles
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.