Text Examples for
Irish Heritage

Saint Patricks Day
March 17

For a large selection of Irish Heritage Gifts please visit our affiliate store The Gifts Gallery.

Irish:
A drink precedes a story.
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Irish:
A friend's eye is a good mirror.
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Irish:
Time is a great story teller.
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Irish:
Good as drink is, it ends in thirst.
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Irish:
It is a long road that has no turning.
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Irish:
As the big hound is, so will the pup be.
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Irish Proverbs:
A trade not properly learned is an enemy.
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Irish:
Put silk on a goat, and it's still a goat.
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Irish:
When the liquor was gone the fun was gone.
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Irish:
There is no fireside like your own fireside.
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Irish:
It is not a secret if it is known by three people.
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Irish:
It takes time to build castles. Rome was not built in a day.
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Irish:
The man with the boots does not mind where he places his foot.
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Irish:
If you do not sow in the spring
you will not reap in the autumn.
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Irish:
When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak.
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Irish:
A lock is better than suspicion.
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Irish:
A new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the corners.
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Irish:
A silent mouth is melodious.
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Irish:
Be neither intimate nor distant with the clergy.
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Irish:
Both your friend and your enemy think you will never die.
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Irish:
Good luck beats early rising.
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Irish:
He who comes with a story to you brings two away from you.
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Irish:
He who gets a name for early rising can stay in bed until midday.
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Irish:
If you want to be criticized, marry.
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Irish:
Instinct is stronger than upbringing.
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Irish:
It is a bad hen that does not scratch herself.
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Irish:
It is better to exist unknown to the law.
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Irish:
It is not fish until it is on the bank.
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Irish:
It is the quiet pigs that eat the meal.
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Irish:
It's not a matter of upper and lower class
but of being up a while and down a while.
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Irish:
Keep a thing for seven years and you'll find a use for it.
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Irish:
Lack of resource has hanged many a person.
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Irish:
Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout.
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Traditional Irish Curse:
May the curse of Mary Malone and her nine blind illegitimate children chase
you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself can't find
you with a telescope.
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Irish:
May you have a bright future - as the chimney sweep said to his son.
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Irish:
Mere words do not feed the friars.
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Irish:
Nature breaks through the eyes of the cat.
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Irish:
Necessity is the mother of invention.
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Irish:
Necessity knows no law.
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Irish:
Need teaches a plan.
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Irish:
Patience is poultice for all wounds.
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Irish:
People live in each other's shelter.
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Irish:
Praise the young and they will blossom.
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Irish:
Quiet people are well able to look after themselves.
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Irish:
Sweet is the wine but sour is the payment.
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Irish:
The day will come when the cow will have use for her tail.
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Irish:
The hole is more honorable than the patch.
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Irish:
The light heart lives long.
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Irish:
The mills of God grind slowly but they grind finely.
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Irish:
The raggy colt often made a powerful horse.
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Irish:
The smallest thing outlives the human being.
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Irish:
The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.
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Irish:
The well fed does not understand the lean.
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Irish:
The work praises the man.
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Irish:
The world would not make a racehorse of a donkey.
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Irish:
There is hope from the sea, but none from the grave.
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Irish:
There is no luck except where there is discipline.
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Irish:
There is no need like the lack of a friend.
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Irish:
There is no strength without unity.
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Irish:
Thirst is the end of drinking and sorrow is the end of drunkenness.
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Irish:
Three diseases without shame: Love, itch and thirst.
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Irish:
Two shorten the road.
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Irish:
Two thirds of the work is the semblance.
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Irish:
Walk straight, my son - as the old crab said to the young crab.
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Irish:
When fire is applied to a stone it cracks.
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Irish:
When the apple is ripe it will fall.
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Irish:
When the drop (drink) is inside, the sense is outside.
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Irish:
Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth.
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Irish:
Wine divulges truth.
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Irish:
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
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Irish:
You must live with a person to know a person. If you want to know me come and live with me.
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Irish:
Youth does not mind where it sets its foot.
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Irish:
Youth sheds many a skin. The steed (horse) does not retain its speed forever.
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Irish:
If you love something, set it free.
If it comes back, it will always be yours.
If it doesn't come back,
it was never yours to begin with.
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Irish:
"Top of the morning to you, and the rest of the day to yourself!"
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Four Leaf Clover:
One leaf for happiness
and one leaf for health,
One leaf for love
and one leaf for inspiration -
Wishing you all of these things
On this St. Patrick's Day celebration!
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Shamrock:
One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more
bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed
shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent
how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate
elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of
wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
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What is good luck on St. Patricks Day:
1. Finding a four-leaf clover
(that's double the good luck it usually is).
2. Wearing green.
3. Kissing the blarney stone.
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Irish Coffee:
1 shot Irish Whiskey
1 tbsp Sugar
6 oz. Coffee
Whipped Cream for garnish

Pre-warm a stemmed glass. Add the whiskey.
Add the sugar and stir in the coffee.
Float the whipped cream on top.
Drink the coffee through the cream.
Do not stir after adding the cream.
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Adrienne Cook:
St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -
a day to begin transforming
winter's dreams into summer's magic."
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Margaret Jackson:
"Ireland is rich in literature
that understands a soul's yearnings,
and dancing that understands a happy heart."
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Alex Levine:
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass
all four essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat."
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Nancy O'Keeefe:
Maybe it's bred in the bone, but the sound of pipes is a little bit of heaven to some of us.
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Sir John Pentland Mahaffy:
In Ireland the inevitable never happens and the unexpected constantly occurs.
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John Millington Synge:
"There is no language like the Irish
for soothing and quieting."
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Wee bit O' Irish:
You're the flash and sparkle in dark Irish eyes.
You're the whimsy and charm of leprechaun guise.
You're the treasured gold at the rainbow's end.
You're the beauty and mystery of emerald glens.
You're the top o' the mornin' - my cup of tea.
You're springtime adornin'...blessings on thee.
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I'm Looking Over:
I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I over-looked before.
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,
Third is the roses that grows in the lane.
No need explaining the one remaining
Is somebody I adore.
I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I over-looked before!
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A Little Bit of Heaven:
Sure, a little bit o' Heaven
fell from out of the sky one day,
And nestled on the ocean
in a spot so far away;
And the angels found it,
sure it looked so sweet and fair.
They said suppose we leave it,
for it looks so peaceful there!
So they sprinkled it with star dust
just to make the shamrocks grow;
'Tis the only place you'll find them,
No matter where you go;
Then they dotted it with silver
To make its lakes so grand,
And when they had it finished
Sure they called it IRELAND!
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An Irish Lullaby:
Over in Killarney, many years ago,
Me Mother sang a song to me
in tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
in her good old Irish way.
And I'd give the world if she could sing
that song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Hush now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, That's an Irish lullaby.
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When Irish Eyes are Smiling:
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure it's like a morning spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
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Oh Danny Boy (also known as Londonderry Air):
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

by Frederick Edward Weatherly in 1913
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Loch Lomand:
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever won't to go
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

Chorus
O' ye'll take the high road and I'll tak the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland before you;
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of loch Lomond

T'was there that we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where in deep purple hue, the Highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.
Chorus

The wee birds do sing, and the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping,
But the broken heart will ken nae second spring again,
Though the waefu' may cease fae their greeting
Chorus
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Irish Blessing:
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.
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Irish Blessing:
May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!
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Irish Blessing:
May your feet never sweat,
your neighbor give you ne're a treat.
When flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze,
and may you always have someone to squeeze!
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Irish Blessing:
I-rish you a very nice place to live,
I-rish God's greatest gifts he'll give.
I-rish you health, and wealth, and more
I-rish your smilin' face were at my door!
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Irish Blessing:
May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!
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Irish Blessing:
May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few.
And heaven is overflowing.
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Irish Blessing:
May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
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Irish Blessing:
May peace and plenty be the first,
To arrive at your door.
And happiness be guided to your home,
By the candle of Christmas.
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Irish Blessing:
May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,
May the sun's rays from the Irish sky warm your face,
May the children's bright smiles warm your heart,
May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.
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Irish Blessing:
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.
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Irish Blessing:
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.
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Irish Blessing:
Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter.
Lullabies, dreams and love ever after.
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes...
That's the Irish for You!
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Irish Blessing:
May the good saints protect you,
And bless you today.
And may troubles ignore you,
Each step of the way.
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Irish Blessing:
May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do.
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.
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Irish Blessing:
May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow.
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
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Irish Blessing:
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.
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Irish Blessing:
Whenever there is happiness
Hope you'll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they'll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you to make each day
for you as bright as it can be.
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Irish Blessing:
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
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Irish Blessing:
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
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Irish Proverb:
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.
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Irish Blessing:
May you enjoy the four greatest blessings:
Honest work to occupy you.
A hearty appetite to sustain you.
A good woman to love you.
And a wink from the God above.
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Irish Blessing:
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
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Irish Blessing:
May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of you wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.
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Irish Blessing:
May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your gray clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.
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An Old Irish Wedding Blessing:
May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.
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Irish:
May the grass grow long
on the road to hell for want of use.
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Irish:
As you slide down the banisters of life
may the splinters never point the wrong way.
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Irish:
May your troubles be as few and as far apart
as my Grandmothers teeth.
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Irish:
May the roof above us never fall in,
and may we friends gathered below never fall out.
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Irish:
May there be a generation of children
on the children of your children.
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Irish:
May the Lord keep you in His hand
and never close His fist too tight.
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Irish Blessing:
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
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Irish:
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
may good luck pursue you each morning and night.
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Irish Blessing:
May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.
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Irish Blessing:
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.
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Irish Blessing:
May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!
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Irish Blessing:
May you alway walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.
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Irish Blessing:
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been
the foresight to know where you're going
and the insight to know when you're going too far.
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Irish Blessing:
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and the road downhill all the way to your door.
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Irish Blessing:
For each petal on the shamrock.
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
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Irish Blessing:
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
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Irish Blessing:
May peace and plenty be the first,
To lift the latch to your door.
And happiness be guided to your home,
By the candle of Christmas.
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English Irish Translations:
English Irish Translation
Happy St. Patrick's Day La' Padriag Sona duit
God to you. Dia duit
May God bless you. Go mbeannai/ Dia duit
May God bless you. Go mbeannai Dia duit.
The blessing of God on you. Bail o/ Dhia ort
Cheers Sla'inte
Long life to you. Saol fada chugat
Ireland forever. Erin go braugh.
A hundred thousand welcomes. Cea'd mile Fa'ilte.
Merry Christmas Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Merry Christmas In Scots Gaelic Nollaig Chridheil huibh
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History of the Shamrock:
In written English, the first reference to the Shamrock dates from 1571,
and in written Irish, as seamrog, from 1707. As a badge to be worn on the
lapel on the Saint's feast day, it is referred to for the first time as late as 1681.
The Shamrock was used as an emblem by the Irish Volunteers in the era of
Grattan's Parliament in the 1770's, before '98 and The Act of Union.
So rebellious did the wearing of the Shamrock eventually appear, that in
Queen Victoria's time Irish regiments were forbidden to display it.
At that time it became the custom for civilians
to wear a little paper cross colored red and green.
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Irish the word.:
Irish = (noun)

1 : (plural in construction) : natives or inhabitants of Ireland or their descendants esp. when of Celtic speech or culture

2 a : the Celtic language of Ireland esp. as used since the later medieval period

b : English spoken by the Irish

Irish *ly = (adverb) In a manor characteristic to the Irish (This word first appeared in 1571)

Irish*ism = (noun) a word , phrase, or expression characteristic of the Irish
(First appeared in 1734)
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Irish Legend:
Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be.
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers We can surely see for ourselves.
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Irish Blessing:
May the saint protect ye-
An' sorrow neglect ye,
An' bad luck to the one
That doesn't respect ye
t' all that belong to ye,
An long life t' yer honor-
That's the end of my song t' ye!
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Irish Blessing:
May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.
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Irish Blessing:
Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play-
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song-
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long!
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Irish Blessing:
When the first light of sun-
Bless you.
When the long day is done-
Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears-
Bless you.
Through each day of your years-
Bless you.
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Irish Wedding Blessing II:
May joy and peace
surround you both,
contentment
latch your door,
and happiness
be with you now
and God bless you
evermore.
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Irish Prayer St. Patrick:
May the strength
of God pilot us,
may the wisdom
of God instruct us,
may the hand
of God protect us,
may the Salvation,
O Lord, be always ours,
this day and forevermore,
Amen.
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Irish Baby Blessing:
May God guard you
through each night and day
and ever watch above you...
May God smile on everything you do
and always...God love you.
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Shamrock Pudding:
Vanilla pudding mix
Green food coloring

Prepare pudding. Add a couple of drops of green food coloring.
Allow children to stir.
The pudding "magically" turns green.
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Potato Soup:
9 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 small onions, chopped
3 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
6 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
1 stick margarine or butter

Directions:
Combine the potatoes, onion, and water in a large pan. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Combine a small amount of milk and flour until smooth. Add this mixture and the rest of milk to the potato mixture.
Stir in the butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until the soup thickens.
This recipe will make about 3 quarts of soup or 24 1/2 cup servings.
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Potato & Apple Pudding:
2 T Butter
8 oz Self-raising flour
6 oz Freshly mashed potatoes
4 T Milk
5 x Med. cooking apples
Brown or white sugar
2 x Whole cloves
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 T Cider

Mix the butter into the hot mashed potatoes, add a good pinch of salt, and the flour, and mix well, then add enough milk to make a soft, slack dough.
Roll out and line a 1-qt bowl with some of it, reserving enough for the lid. Fill with the apples, peeled and cored and finely sliced,
and sweeten to taste with sugar. Add 2 whole cloves, the lemon juice and the cider (or water),
taking care not to make it too wet. Dampen the pastry edges,
lay the lid on and press down.
Cover with foil and secure well. Steam, or cook set in boiling water up to the rim,
for 2 - 2 1/2 hours.
Serve cut in wedges with cream or home-made custard.

Servings: 4
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Colcannon or Irish Mashed Potatoes:
2 cups - Green cabbage, shredded
2 cups - Mashed potatoes
1/4 cup - Green onions, sliced
1/8 tsp - Pepper
Butter or margarine
Parsley

Heat 1/2-inch water to boiling.
Stir in cabbage, cover and heat to boiling.
Cook 5 minutes, drain.
Prepare mashed potatoes, fold in cabbage, onions and pepper.
Dot with butter, sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 4.
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Irish Jokes:
An Irishman, Englishman and Scotsman go into a pub and each order a pint
of Guinness.
Just as the bartender hands them over, three flies buzz down and one lands in each of the pints.
The Englishman looks disgusted, pushes his pint away and demands another pint.
The Scotsman picks out the fly, shrugs, and takes a long swallow.
The Irishman reaches in to the glass, pinches the fly between his fingers and
shakes him while yelling, Spit it out, ya bastard! Spit it out!"
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An Irish Fight:
Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he'd just been run over
by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut and
bruised and he's walking with a limp. "What happened to you?" asks
Sean, the bartender. "Jamie O'Conner and me had a fight," says
Paddy. "That little sod, O'Conner," says Sean, "He couldn't do that to
you, he must have had something in his hand." "That he did," says
Paddy, "a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin' he gave me with
it." "Well," says Sean, "you should have defended yourself. Didn't
you have something in your hand?" "That I did," said Paddy. "Mrs.
O'Conner's breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but useless in a fight."
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Irish Cemetery:
Three Irishmen, Paddy, Sean and Seamus, were stumbling home from the
pub late one night and found themselves on the road which led past the old graveyard.
"Come have a look over here," says Paddy,
"It's Michael O'Grady's grave, God bless his soul.
He lived to the ripe old age of 87."
"That's nothing," says Sean,
"here's one named Patrick O'Tool, it says here that he was 95 when he died."
Just then, Seamus yells out, "Good God, here's a fella that got to be 145!"
"What was his name?" asks Paddy. Seamus stumbles around a bit,
awkwardly lights a match to see what else is written on the stone
marker, and exclaims, "Miles, from Dublin."
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Irish Miracle:
An Irishman who had a little too much to drink is driving home from the city
one night and, of course, his car is weaving violently all over the
road. A cop pulls him over. "So," says the cop to the driver, "where
have ya been?" "Why, I've been to the pub of course," slurs the
drunk. "Well," says the cop, "it looks like you've had quite a few to drink
this evening." "I did all right," the drunk says with a smile. "Did
you know," says the cop, standing straight and folding his arms across
his chest, "that a few intersections back, your wife fell out of your car?" "Oh,
thank heavens," sighs the drunk.
"For a minute there, I thought I'd gone deaf."
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Irish Predicament:
Drunk, Ole Mulvihill (From the Northern Irish Clan) staggers into a Catholic
Church, enters a confessional box, sits down but says nothing. The
Priest coughs a few times to get his attention but Ole just sits there.
Finally, the Priest pounds three times on the wall. The drunk
mumbles, "ain't no use knockin, there's no paper on this side either."
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Irish Last Request:
Mary Clancy goes up to Father O'Grady's after his Sunday morning service,
and she's in tears. He says, "So what's bothering you, Mary my dear?"
She says, "Oh, Father, I've got terrible news. My husband passed away
last night." The priest says, "Oh, Mary, that's terrible. Tell me, did he
have any last requests?" She says, "That he did, Father..." The priest
says, "What did he ask, Mary?" She says, "He said, 'Jesus, Mary and
Joseph, put down that damn gun!'"
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Superstitions:
In Ireland it is believed the gates of Heaven open at midnight on Christmas Eve. Those who die then go straight to Heaven.
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Irish Proverb:
You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.
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Life:
May you live all the days of your life.
And may the saddest day of your future be no worse
than the happiest day of your past.
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A hundred years:
May you live to be a hundred years old...
With one extra year to repent.
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Coffin:
We drink to your coffin.
May it be built from the wood of a
hundred-year old oak tree
that I shall plant tomorrow.
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Health:
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
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Best Days:
May your best days together
be better
than your worst days apart
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Live Long:
May you live as long as you want,
and never want as long as you live.
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A Gaelic Wedding Prayer:
May the blessings
of the Lord
who brings love
and joy and health
pillow you all the days
of your life.
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Blessing of St. Patrick:
May good St. Patrick bless you
and keep you in his care,
and may Our Lord be near you
to answer every prayer.
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adapted from - ancient gaelic runes:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
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Dance, Love, Sing, Live:
Dance as though no one is watching
Love as though you've never been hurt
Sing as though no one is listening
Live as though heaven is on earth
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George Moore (1852-1933); Irish author, poet, dramatist.:
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs,
and returns home to find it."
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Lawrence Sterne (1713-1768); Irish novelist.:
"The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches,
increases ever with the acquisition of it."
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Some alternative words for use in statements in Northern Ireland:
A:
Ah - I or me, i.e. Ah don't feel well.
Aminal -common mispronunciation of Animal.
Aye -meaning "yes"

B:
Balleex -"bo**ocks" Thats balleex - Used in context when disagreeing with someone or I will knack ur ballex in mate.
Bake -some ones face.
Bate -beat, I bate her up so ah did.
Beezer - Very good, Thats Beezer.
Beg -wafer thin plastic vessel; good for carrying shopping: also "oul' beg" when referring to an elderly female.
Boulin' -messing about.
Bout Ye -"Hello"
Buggered -broken.

C:
Cheeser -like Beezer, meaning "very good" or "excellent"
Chicken child slang for "afraid"
Chinky -popular Chinese food Take Aways.
Childer -children.
Cracker -not something you put cheese on, means beezer.
Creamed -tired.

D:
Dander -a walk, i.e. I'm goin fer a dander.
Dawg -canine, dog.
Drawers -underwear.
Dour -a door.

E:
Earlee-er -before the present.
Eejit -derived from "Idiot", means "Idiot"
Eef Aaf - F*** Off.

F:
Faaler -father.
Fillum -a movie or film.
Fingy -someone whose name you can't remember.
Flour a floor.

G:
Gat -slang, You're a wee gat or get.
Geg -fun, "Ats a geg"
Givuz -give me.
Goes -replaces the word "Said" i.e. And I goes:
Gutties -training shoes.

H:
Hardly -meaning "Thats not true" i.e. Hardly now. Hardly.
Heel -not to be confused with the back of your foot, means end of a loaf.
Houl On -please wait.

J:
Jawbax -mouth.
Joken -joking.

K:
Kudn't -couldn't i.e. Ah kudn't do that...

L:
Lairdindeyit -please do start eating [or drinking] see also "wiredintillit"
Lingo -language.

M:
Magic -not tricks, but another word meaning great or good.
Mawn -a man, male.
Meat Wagon -RUC Landrovers.
Melt -no actual meaning, used as: "I'll knock your melt in"
Milly -name given to teenage females. See also: Steek.
Mucker -a friend or mate.
Muller -Mother or "Ma"

N:
Nice One -that was good.
Norman -bullying term for someone with no friends.
Now Yer Sucken Deezel -that's a good way of going about that.

O:
Offees -alchohol retailer.
Oi -a yelp for someones attention i.e. Oi! You! C'mere!"
Oxters - Armpits.

P:
Prably -maybe, its likely.
Passion -heavy rain in Ballymena.
Peeler -a police officer.
Piece -sandwich.
Purdie -countryside slang for Potato.

R:
Ragin' -angry, Ahm bloody ragin' so ah am.
Rare -not to be confused with "scarce", means crap.

S:
Samitch -mispronunciation of "Sandwich"
Shap -shop.
Shar -a shower.
Slabber -someone who makes bad comments about you behind your back or to your face.
Spoon -someone with a low IQ.

Steek -male with bad dress and hair sense.

T:
Ta -Thank You.
Till -replaces the word "to" i.e. Goin till the shap"
Theee -the number three.
Tube -see: Spoon.

U:
Undurstawnd -understand i.e. Do ye undurstawnd me?

V:
Vaka -Vodka.

W:
Weaker -yet another word for "brilliant"
Wee -put in front of words such as "drink", "dander", and basically anything.
Wa?- pardon.
Wick -not exactly brilliant.
Windie -a window.
Windie Still -a window sill.
Wooden One -not a clever person.

Y:
Yermaa -an insult said when nothing else can be thought of.
Yeegittin? -Are you being served?
Yip -yes.

Z:
Zabra/Zedbra -Zebra.
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Irish Blessing:
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.
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Irish Blessing:
Good land, good harvest, good roof above,
Good friends, good gab,
good helping or love,
Good hearts in good prayer
to the good Lord upraised...
For this we give thanks-
Good saints be praised
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Irish Christmas:
May God grant you lightness in your step,
a smile on every face you meet.
Loved ones gathered at your hearth,
and at your door, good folk to greet...

A holy hymn upon your lips,
a window candle burning bright.
And may the Good Lord bless your heart
and come to dwell there Christmas night.
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Irish Prayers and Toasts:
The first of each is in Irish, the second is written phonetically so you have some idea of how the words are pronounced and the third is the English translation. There is a fada- an Irish accent above some of the letters which is a stroke to the right which I do not have th e facility on my computer so I have put ' in it's place.

1 Beannaigh sinn Dhia
Beannaigh 'ar mbia is 'ar ndeoch
Os tu' a cheannaigh sinn go daor
Tabhair saor 'ar n-anom bocht.

Banee shin a Yee-a
Banee aar mee-a is aar nyoch
Os to a hayanee shin gu dear
Tow-er see-ar aar nanam boch-t

Bless us God
Bless our food and our drink
Since it was you who bought us dearly
Deliver our poor souls.

2 Sl'ainte na bhfear
Is go maire na mn'a go deo.

Slan-che na vaar
Iss go mar-ee na mra go jaw.

A health to the men
And may the women live forever
(or Long live women).

3 Nuair a bh'ionn an t-'ol istigh,
B'ionn an chiall amuigh.

Nu-er a vee-on an tawl is-tee
Bee-in an kee-il am-we

When the drink is in
The sense is out.
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Irish tale:
Sister Mary Catherine lived in an Irish nunnery, a block away from Jack's liquor store.

One day, in walked Sister Mary Catherine and said, "Oh, Jack, give me a pint o' the Irish Whiskey."

"Sister Mary Catherine," exclaimed Jack, "I could never do that! I have never sold alcohol to a nun in my life!"

"Oh Jack", she responded, "it's only for the Mother Superior." Her voice dropped, "It helps her constipation, you know."

So Jack sold her the brandy.

Later that night Jack closed the store and walked home. As he passed the nunnery, who should he see but Sister Mary Catherine! And, she was plastered! She was singing and dancing, whirling around and flapping her arms like a bird, right there on the sidewalk.

A crowd was gathering. Jack pushed through and exclaimed, "Sister Mary Catherine! For shame!! And you told me this was for the Mother Superior's constipation!"

Sister Mary Catherine didn't miss a beat. She replied, "And so it is. When she sees me, she's gonna !&#@."
[ top ]     
Murphy:
Six retired Irishmen were playing poker in O'Leary's apartment when Paddy Murphy loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table. Showing respect for their fallen brother, the other five continue playing standing up.

Michael O'Conner looks around and asks, "Oh, me boys, someone got's to tell Paddy's wife. Who will it be?"

They draw straws. Paul Gallagher picks the short one. They tell him to be discreet be gentle, don't make a bad situation any worse.

"Discreet??? I'm the most discreet Irishmen you'll ever meet. Discretion is me middle name. Leave it to me."

Gallagher goes over to Murphy's house and knocks on the door. Mrs. Murphy answers and asks what he wants. Gallagher declares: "Your husband just lost $500 and is afraid to come home."

"Tell him to drop dead!", says Murphy's wife.

"I'll go tell him." says Gallagher
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