70 Best Traditional Irish Toasts we use in Ireland

Irish Toasts for every occasion

Irish Toasts have been used to celebrate special or memorable occasions with style. This list of Irish Toasts offers a journey into the rich tapestry of Irish culture and tradition. 

Today, we raise our glasses to celebrate something near and dear to the Irish heart: Irish toasts. Whether you find yourself nestled in a cosy Irish pub in Dublin, gathered with friends and family at a wedding, or bidding farewell to a loved one at a wake, toasting is a cherished ritual that weaves its way through the fabric of Irish life.

In this blog post, we invite you to join us as we uncover the magic and meaning behind Irish toasts. From the heartfelt blessings passed down through generations to the witty and whimsical quips that bring laughter to any gathering, Irish toasts offer a glimpse into the soul of the Emerald Isle.

So, grab your favourite beverage, whether it’s a pint of Guinness, a mug of steaming tea, or a glass of fine Irish whiskey. Let’s raise a toast to the beauty of Irish tradition. 

Sláinte!

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Old Irish Toasts

This list of old Irish toasts mixes a few traditional Irish toasts with some more modern versions. Each have their own unique meaning and add a little touch of Irish Class to any occasion.

1. May the road rise 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. Sláinte! (To your health!)
3. May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.
4. 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!
5. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
6. May you be in heaven a full half-hour before the devil knows you’re dead.
7. May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.
8. May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.
9. May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door.
10. Here’s to the land of the shamrock so green, here’s to each lad and his darling colleen, here’s to the ones we love dearest and most. May God bless old Ireland, that’s this Irishman’s toast!
11. May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
12. May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint!
13. 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.
14. May the cat eat you and the devil eat the cat.
15. May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.
16. May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours, that stay with you all the year long.
17. Here’s to you and yours, and to mine and ours, and if mine and ours ever come across you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours, as mine and ours have done for you and yours!
18. 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.
19. May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent!
20. Here’s to health, peace, and prosperity. May the flower of love never be nipped by the frost of disappointment, nor shadow of grief fall among your family and friends.

Irish Wedding Toasts

Irish Weddings are very special occasions where family and friends get together to celebrate the coming together of two people. This list of common Irish Wedding Toast will set you out from the crowd at your next wedding.

1. May your marriage be as everlasting as the Cliffs of Moher and as joyful as a lively ceili dance.
2. Here’s to the bride and groom, may their joys be as bright as the morning, and their sorrows but shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.
3. May your love be modern enough to survive the times, but old-fashioned enough to last forever.
4. May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door, today and forevermore.
5. May your marriage be a sheltering tree in the storms of life, and may your love for each other be as constant as the North Star.
6. Here’s to health, wealth, and happiness. May you live together in prosperity and harmony, and may your love grow stronger with each passing day.
7. May your wedding day be the beginning of a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures together.
8. May the love you share today grow stronger as you grow old together, and may your marriage be a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who know you.
9. Here’s to the newlyweds. May your hearts be forever united, your dreams forever shared, and your love forever blessed.
10. May your marriage be blessed with a love that knows no boundaries, a happiness that knows no end, and a lifetime of cherished memories. Cheers to the bride and groom!

Funny Irish Toasts

There is always time for a funny Irish Toast at any occasion. In Ireland, we often use humour to lighten many situations, from a night out with friends to even remembering long-lost friends and family. This list of funny Irish toasts will bring a smile to many.

1. May your troubles be as few as your grandmother’s teeth.
2. Here’s to a long life and a merry one, but if you’re not able to be merry, at least be drunk!
3. May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent!
4. 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… just to give him a fright!
5. May you be in heaven a full half-hour before the devil knows you’re dead, and may you accidentally trip him on your way in!
6. May your home always be too small to hold all your friends… but may your purse always be big enough to buy them a pint!
7. 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!
8. 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.
9. May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint… or two!
10. May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door… except maybe the odd leprechaun with a pot of gold!

Irish Birthday Toasts

What better way to mark a special Birthday occasion than with a heartfelt Irish Birthday Toast? Here is a list of Irish Birthday Toasts that will make every occasion memorable.

1. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. Happy birthday!
2. Here’s to celebrating another trip around the sun! May your birthday be filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of good cheer.
3. May your birthday be as sweet as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and as magical as a leprechaun’s dance.
4. Here’s to you on your special day! May your birthday be the start of a year filled with new adventures, cherished memories, and boundless happiness.
5. May the candles on your cake be as numerous as the blessings in your life. Happy birthday!
6. Here’s to growing older but never growing up! May your birthday be filled with fun, laughter, and youthful exuberance.
7. May your birthday be as delightful as a pint of Guinness and as satisfying as a hearty Irish stew. Sláinte!
8. Here’s to another year of wisdom gained, dreams chased, and goals achieved. Happy birthday, and may your future be as bright as the Irish sunrise.
9. May your birthday be filled with the warmth of friendship, the comfort of love, and the joy of celebration. Cheers to you!
10. Here’s to celebrating the wonderful person you are and the amazing journey you’ve had so far. Happy birthday, and may your day be filled with all the things that make you smile.

Irish Christening Toasts

In Ireland, we have many social occasions that revolve around church events. From Weddings to Marriages and Christenings, we love to celebrate. Here, you will find a list of meaningful Irish Christening Toasts to mark the celebration of a child entering the Church.

1. May the blessings of heaven rest upon this child, and may their life be filled with love, laughter, and endless joy.
2. Here’s to the newest member of the clan! May this little one bring light, love, and happiness into your lives.
3. May this child be blessed with the luck of the Irish, the strength of their ancestors, and the love of their family.
4. May this Christening day mark the beginning of a lifetime filled with faith, hope, and boundless blessings.
5. Here’s to the little one being baptized today. May their heart be pure, their spirit be strong, and their path be guided by love.
6. May the angels watch over this child and guide them through life’s journey with grace, courage, and wisdom.
7. Here’s to the parents, godparents, and family gathered here today. May you always surround this child with love, support, and encouragement.
8. May this Christening day be a joyous celebration of new beginnings, cherished memories, and the promise of a bright future.
9. Here’s to the tiny hands and tiny feet, may they leave big imprints on the hearts of all they meet.
10. May the love that surrounds this child today continue to grow and flourish throughout their life. Blessings on this special day of baptism.

Irish Toasts to Say at a Wake

Irish wakes are renowned for being a celebration of a persons life. As Irish people we get together and have a few pints and recall the life of someone who has just passed. It’s a way of coming together in a time of sorrow to share our grief. Here are a list of Irish Toasts that can be used to celebrate a loved one at an Irish wake.

1. Here’s to [Name], may they find eternal peace and may their memory be a blessing to us all.
2. To absent friends and loved ones, may we carry their spirit with us always and cherish the memories we shared.
3. Here’s to [Name], may they find comfort in the arms of the angels and may their legacy live on in the hearts of those who knew them.
4. To [Name], may their journey to the next life be filled with light, love, and the warmth of all the lives they touched.
5. Here’s to the life of [Name]. May we celebrate the joy they brought into our lives and find solace in the memories we hold dear.
6. To [Name], may their soul find peace in the embrace of the Irish hills and may their laughter echo through the valleys forevermore.
7. Here’s to [Name], may the road rise to meet them on their final journey and may they find rest in the arms of their ancestors.
8. To [Name], may the angels sing them to their rest and may their spirit soar free among the emerald skies.
9. Here’s to [Name], may the tears we shed today water the seeds of hope for tomorrow, as we remember the love they shared with us.
10. To [Name], may their memory be a blessing, their legacy be a light, and their love be a guiding force in our lives.

These Irish Toasts can be used for many special occasions as a sign of respect or for a bit of fun. The main thing about Irish celebrations is that we love to involve as many family and friends as possible. 

Often in Ireland, most families only ever get together around religious events these days. From weddings to deaths and christenings, we love to celebrate the life of the people we love.

I hope you enjoy this list of Irish Toasts and get the chance to use some at your next family event.

Sláinte!