Irish Sayings About Luck
Luck in Irish is rarely random. The word that does most of the work is ádh, and it sits close to blessing and to providence. When someone wishes you luck in Irish they usually name God as the one sending it. Go gcuire Dia an t-ádh ort is a wish, not a superstition.
That gives the material a different shape from English luck-talk. There is little about charms and a great deal about doors opening: Níor dhún Dia doras riamh nár oscail Sé ceann eile is the most quoted of them, and Is gaire cabhair Dé ná an doras says the help is nearer than you think.
The proverbs are more sceptical than the blessings, as proverbs tend to be. Ní bhíonn an sonas gan an donas ina orlaí tríd (there is no happiness without misfortune threaded through it) is the tradition's settled view on the subject.
14 sayings each with its source
- Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorachThere will come another day; there will be another chance.
- Go dté tú slánMay you go safely.
- Go dtí tú slánMay you come back safe.
- Go gcuire Dia an t-ádh ortMay God send you luck.
- Go gcuire Dia rath ortMay God prosper you.
- Go n-éirí an bóthar leatMay the road rise to meet you.
- Go n-éirí an bóthar leat Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís, Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.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.
- Go n-éirí do bhóthar leatMay your journey go well.
- Is fada siar an rud a chuirfeadh Dia aniarNothing is beyond the reach of God.
- Is gaire cabhair Dé ná an dorasGod is never far away when you need help.
- Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éiginIt is an ill wind that blows nobody good.
- Ní bhíonn an sonas gan an donas ina orlaí trídThere is no happiness without some misfortune woven through it.
- Sláinte!Cheers.
- Tá Dia láidir (agus tá máthair mhaith aige)God is strong, and he has a good mother - a powerful ally in trouble.