Irish love poems can be a great addition to weddings, anniversaries, or any romantic occasion.
Whether it’s Yeats’ wistful longing in When You Are Old, Kavanagh’s bittersweet On Raglan Road, or the quiet strength of Heaney’s Scaffolding, these verses carry a depth of emotion that lingers long after they’re spoken.
Recited beneath an ancient church archway or shared in the flickering glow of a wedding feast, these romantic Irish poems add a timeless, lyrical touch to moments of love and commitment.
Irish love poems for weddings and romantic occasions
Below, you’ll find a mix of new and old poems, each of which has a romantic flare.
All of the poems below belong to the respected copyright owners, while several are in the public domain.
1. ‘When You Are Old’ by WB Yeats
The first of our Irish poems about love is When You Are Old by WB Yeats. This is a poignant poem written for an actress he loved but who didn’t return his feelings.
In it, Yeats invites the listener to look ahead to a time when they are “old and grey,” reflecting on lost love and what might have been.
‘When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.’
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2. ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh
On Raglan Road by Patrick Kavanagh is one of the most popular choices for Irish wedding poems, and for good reason.
Its lyrical flow and heartfelt emotion make it instantly recognisable, while its accessible language ensures it resonates with any listener.
‘On Raglan Road of an autumn day I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue
I saw the danger, and I passed along the enchanted way
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day
On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion’s pledge
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay
Oh, I loved too much and by such by such is happiness thrown away
I gave her gifts of the mind, I gave her the secret sign
That’s known to the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint without stint for I gave her poems to say
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet, I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly, my reason must allow
That I had loved not as I should a creature made of clay
When the angel woos the play, he’d lose his wings at the dawning of the day.’
3. ‘Scaffolding’ by Seamus Heaney
Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney is a beautifully crafted Irish love poem, rich in meaning and perfect for a wedding.
Short and easy to read aloud, it offers a thoughtful reflection on the strength and resilience of a lasting relationship.
‘Masons, when they start upon a building,
Are careful to test out the scaffolding;
Make sure that planks won’t slip at busy points,
Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints.
And yet all this comes down when the job’s done
Showing off walls of sure and solid stone.
So if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be
Old bridges breaking between you and me
Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.’
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4. ‘The White Rose’ by John Boyle O’Reilly
The White Rose by John Boyle O’Reilly is an ideal choice for a reader who isn’t keen on public speaking.
Short and straightforward, it flows effortlessly while carrying a subtle yet meaningful message of love.
‘The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O, the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.
But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.’
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5. ‘A Love Song’ – James Joyce
Photo by Gareth Wray via Fáilte Ireland
A Love Song by James Joyce is a delicate and evocative piece, capturing the gentle beauty of a lover moving through nature, making it one of the most popular Irish love poems for weddings.
With its light, airy rhythm, it paints a picture of admiration and quiet longing, making it a charming choice for a wedding or romantic reading.
“My love is in a light attire
Among the apple trees,
Where the gay winds do most desire
To run in companies.
There, where the gay winds stay to woo
The young leaves as they pass,
My love goes slowly, bending to
Her shadow on the grass.”
6. ‘Twice Shy’ by Seamus Heaney
Another gem from the brilliant Seamus Heaney, Twice Shy is one of the longer poems in this guide.
Its length adds depth and storytelling, but if pairing it with shorter readings, consider how it fits within the flow of the ceremony.
‘Her scarf a la Bardot,
In suede flats for the walk,
She came with me one evening
For air and friendly talk.
We crossed the quiet river,
Took the embankment walk.
Traffic holding its breath,
Sky a tense diaphragm:
Dusk hung like a backcloth
That shook where a swan swam,
Tremulous as a hawk
Hanging deadly, calm.
A vacuum of need
Collapsed each hunting heart
But tremulously we held
As hawk and prey apart,
Preserved classic decorum,
Deployed our talk with art.
Our Juvenilia, Had taught us both to wait,
Not to publish feeling
And regret it all too late –
Mushroom loves already
Had puffed and burst in hate.
So, chary and excited,
As a thrush linked on a hawk,
We thrilled to the March twilight
With nervous childish talk:
Still waters running deep
Along the embankment walk.’
7. ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’ by Sir Samuel Ferguson
The Lark in the Clear Air by Sir Samuel Ferguson has a beautiful, almost sing-song sound to it when read aloud by the right person.
Best read slowly, it’s a nice medium between long and short Irish wedding poems.
‘Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.
For a tender beaming smile
To my hope has been granted,
And tomorrow she shall hear
All my fond heart would say.
I shall tell her all my love,
All my soul’s adoration;
And I think she will hear me
And will not say me nay.
It is this that fills my soul
With its joyous elation,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.’
8. ‘Oh, Call It by Some Better Name’ by Thomas Moore
Oh, Call It by Some Better Name by Thomas Moore is one of the few poems in this guide that rhymes throughout.
The rhyming pattern in this one makes it easier to read aloud as it flows nicely from beginning to end.
‘Oh, call it by some better name,
For Friendship sounds too cold,
While Love is now a worldly flame,
Whose shrine must be of gold:
And Passion, like the sun at noon,
That burns o’er all he sees,
Awhile as warm will set as soon–
Then call it none of these.
Imagine something purer far,
More free from stain of clay
Than Friendship, Love, or Passion are,
Yet human, still as they:
And if thy lip, for love like this,
No mortal word can frame,
Go, ask of angels what it is,
And call it by that name!’
9. ‘Love and Laughter’ – Unknown
Photos left + bottom right: Via The Cottage on FB. Other via Google Maps
If you like the idea of adding some Irish love poems to your wedding, but you’re tight for time or if you have readers that aren’t too keen on the spotlight, this should work well.
It’s more of a traditional Irish blessing, but it has a heartfelt wish for love, laughter, and friendship.
“May love and laughter light your days,
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
Wherever you may roam.”
10. ‘He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven’ by W.B. Yeats
He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven by W.B. Yeats describes wanting to give gifts to the one you love, but only having your dreams to give.
This is one of the more romantic Irish love poems for weddings and it’s short and sweet, making it a great choice.
‘Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.’
11. ‘She Moves Through The Fair’ by Herbert Hughes
She Moves Through The Fair by Herbert Hughes is more of an Irish love song song than a traditional Irish wedding poem, but its haunting rhythm and dreamlike quality make it a beautiful choice for a wedding reading.
Its flowing verses create a sense of timeless romance, perfect for setting a deeply emotive tone.
FAQs
I get a fair few emails asking questions in relation to this article, so hopefully the below helps.
If you still have a query, ask away in the comments and I’ll do my best to help!
What are some good Seamus Heaney love poems for a wedding?
What Irish poets are notable for the love poems?
Are there etiquette considerations for using Irish wedding poems?
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.