Looking for the right Irish blessing?
Choose the occasion. Every saying offered is real, sourced Irish. The note under each says which moment it suits, and the record page behind it shows the citation, the literal rendering and a pronunciation guide.
For a card or a speech, the direct blessings do the work; for a reading or a printed piece, the proverbs about people needing one another land harder than anything written to be romantic.
- Go maire sibh bhur saol nuaMay you enjoy your new life together.The direct one: addressed to the couple, in the subjunctive Irish keeps for blessings. The safest choice for a card.
- Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoineWe live in one another's shelter.The line most often read at Irish weddings. Not about marriage at all, which is exactly why it works.
- Ní neart go cur le chéileThere is strength in unity.Short enough to engrave, and it says what a marriage is without a single sentimental word.
- Ní buan cogadh na gcaradA quarrel between friends does not last.For a speech: the tradition’s dry reassurance that quarrels between people who love each other do not last.
- Go maire tú is go gcaithe tú éMay you live to enjoy it and wear it.Said over something newly acquired: the traditional words to hand over a wedding gift with.
- Sláinte!Cheers.The toast. One word, and the whole room knows it.
About to have something printed or engraved? Read how we check wording first. It takes two minutes and it is the whole point of this site.