5 Irish Blessings to Share With Your Loved Ones on St. Patrick’s Day

By Jaclyn Anglis Updated: March 17, 2021

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St. Patrick's Day

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You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the wisdom of Irish blessings. Much like St. Patrick’s Day, Irish proverbs can bring joy to just about anyone who needs some pep in his or her step. One look at these famous Irish sayings is all the proof you need.

Why Irish Blessings on St. Patty’s Day Are Meaningful

As most people know, St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorating the death of St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) and celebrating Irish heritage on March 17. Many folks (both Irish and non-Irish) observe the holiday by attending a parade, munching on some corned beef and cabbage, or wearing green from head to toe. But did you know these fun traditions didn’t start in Ireland?

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The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was actually held in New York City in 1762, and corned beef and cabbage became a staple for Irish immigrants only after they moved to America. Sure, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for more than 1,000 years, but it wasn’t until relatively recent times that the celebration moved beyond a religious feast. Irish blessings, on the other hand? Those have been around since goodness knows how long!

As is the case for most proverbs around the world, it’s hard to trace back to the exact roots of many Irish proverbs. But isn’t the anonymity part of what makes them special? To know that people have been sharing versions of these thoughtful Irish sayings for centuries really speaks to the power of tradition and ancient wisdom that still rings true today. Even better is knowing that they’ll continue to be passed on from generation to generation in the years to come. Because the best holidays are the ones that spread loving kindness.

Scroll down to find a St. Patrick’s Day quote you love!

Irish Blessing About St. Patrick
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"May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go, and guide you in whatever you do — and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always."

Considering St. Patrick is the namesake of this beloved holiday, it seems only fitting that we start with a heartwarming blessing that honors him. St. Patrick's best known for his mission to bring Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, making this particular quote a good one to share with those who celebrate St. Patrick's Day for religious reasons.
Irish Blessing About Happiness
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"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."

If you know anyone who recently overcame a challenging situation, this is the perfect Irish proverb to send their way. We've all had our moments when we've felt let down or disappointed by other people or events outside of our control, but it's always worth remembering that the world is full of good people and good moments, too — and we can't forget how fortunate we are to have them in our lives.
Irish Blessing About Good Luck
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"May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the 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."

We're all hoping to have successful lives, and we know we have to work hard to reach our goals and achieve our dreams. But it doesn't hurt to have a little extra luck along the way, does it? This Irish blessing is fabulous for anyone about to embark on new chapter in his or her life.
Irish Blessing About Love
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"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!"

There's no such thing as too much love in our opinion. Whether this means letting someone else do something nice for us or simply taking care of ourselves at home, a little extra love in life is always a good thing. This Irish proverb is perfect for anyone who could use some extra love and light in his or her life right now, which, come to think of it, actually applies to everyone — we all deserve it!
Irish Blessing About the Future
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"These things, I warmly wish for you:

someone to love, some work to do,

a bit of o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer.

And a guardian angel always near."

The road ahead may be a scary one for some people — and understandably so. If you know anyone who's stepping into a new stage of his or her life, this Irish saying might be exactly what they need to hear right about now. After all, making your next move is much less frightening when you know you have someone cheering you on.