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Irish Blessings
page One

This was inspired by a comment from the O'Doud family who suggested that with so many beautiful Irish blessings in existence, we could probably post a different one each day. The O'Doud's, bless them, are so right - we've found a wealth of blessings.
We'd like to invite readers to send us their favorites and we'll list those, too.
Next Blessings page




In This Irish Home
May these walls be filled with laughter,
may it reach from floor to rafter.
May the roof keep out the rain,
may sunshine warm each windowpane.
And may the door be open wide
to let the Good Lord's love inside.
Photo Credit: Celtic Shamroc




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!
Photo Credit: Waterford Wildlife

May the morning sun stir you from the bed
May the winds of March move you on the road
May the rains of April renew you strength
May the flowers of May captivate your sight
May summer heat inflame your zeal
May autumn color stimulate your dreams
May the silver moon make you wiser yet
May you never be with yourself content.
May Jesus and Mary keep you young
Full of life and laughter and an Irish song.

Edited and adapted from A Blessing for Challenge by Fr. Andrew Greeley


This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's legions to save me.
from A Retreat With St. Patrick
Photo Credit: St. Patrick’s Grave/Northern ireland Tourist Board

Blessing of St. Blaise

In the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, February 3 is the feast of St. Blaise and in many churches in ireland and thoughout the world a special ceremony takes place: Two white candles blessed on Candlemas are held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or individuals are touched on the throat with them. At the same time the following blessing is given: Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. Amen.
NOTE: While in prison, St. Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise's feast day.
Photo Credit: Westminster Cathedral Blog


St. Brigid's Blessing for a home

May Brigid bless the house where you dwell,
every fireside door and every wall;
every heart that beats beneath its roof,
every hand that toils to bring it joy,
every foot that walks its portals through.
may Brigid bless the house that shelters you.
Photo credit: Catholic Forum






St. Brigid's Blessing
Through her holy intercession
with our Father in Heaven,
may St. Brigid bless
you and and make you
generous in your giving,
pleasant in your greeting,
honest in your speaking,
loyal in your loving,
clear in your thinking,
strong in your working,
and joyful in your living
And when it's time
for your homecoming,
may there be peace in
your passing and a warm
welcome in heaven.
Photo Credit: Kildare, Ireland


Blessing for the New Year
May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Blessings on the Feast of St. Francis
God bless the cow that gives us milk
God bless the lamb that gives us wool
God bless the hen that gives us eggs
God bless the pig that pays the rent
God bless the horse that we may ride
God bless the cat that catches mice
God bless the dog that herds the sheep
God bless the geese for our feather beds
God bless the lark for her morning song
God bless the swan upon the pond.
God bless all friends of fur and feather
And St. Francis protect them in all weather.

Bless us oh Lord, You who are
the peace of all things calm
the place to hide from harm
the light that shines in dark
the heart's eternal spark
the door that's open wide
welcoming all to come inside.
We ask this blessing
God be willing.
Adapted from the Celtic oral tradition - 1st millennium
Photo Credit: Scott Atherton, Irish Corner


Tea-time blessing/grace
God willing, may our tea
be steeped in serenity,
sweetened by sharing,
and surrounded by the
warmth of your love.



From the orchards of Armagh
to the fields of Wicklow,
May God bless the farmer’s work
and help his crops to grow.
And St. Swithin intercede for him
that weather rain or shine
his labors are rewarded
this coming harvest time.


Lord, may I never take the gift of freedom for granted. You gave
me the great blessing of freedom of spirit. Fill my spirit with Your peace and Your joy on this Ascension Day and always.
“...lifting up His hands, he blessed them. While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.” Luke 24
Adapted from Sacred Space


Like the gold of the sun, like the light of the day, may the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Like the glow of a star, and the lilt of a song may these be your joys all your life long.
Photo Credit: D’ Lynn Waldron




Bless the house
and bless the hearth,
bless the work
and bless all here.
May your faith be strong
May your heart be true
and the divil n’er
make a liar of you.
Image by: Mary McSweeney


May you be blessed with
warmth in your home,
love in your heart,
peace in your soul
and joy in your life.



Blessing for Lent
Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth;
you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism.
Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes,
and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth.
May our fasting be hunger for justice;
our alms, a making of peace;
our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus.
For in his cross you proclaim your love for ever and ever.
From Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Photo Credit: Catholic Herald


Blessing for a Journey
O Brigit, bless our road,
that calamity may not overtake us as we travel;
O veiled one from the laden Liffey
may we reach home safely by your intercession.
Source: Blessings 7 Good Wishes
Photo Credit: Cloud Travel

May a rainbow gladden your eyes
May soft winds freshen your spirit;
May 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.
Photo Credit: Fraser Connection




On this first Sunday of advent
May the coming light that is our Lord
fill you and yours with joy and peace.
Image Credit: Mark Roberts





During the coming
Christmas season
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season,
which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
which is hope,
And the heart of the season,
which is love.




Grace before a meal
May this food restore our strength,
giving new energy to tired limbs,
and new thoughts to weary minds.
May this drink restore our souls,
giving new vision to dry spirits,
and new warmth to cold hearts.
And once nourished and refreshed,
May we give thanks to Him who
gives us all and makes us blest.
Adapted from an old Irish blessing

Remembrance Sunday Blessing
Praise to you, ever-watchful God,
for you are our refuge and strength
in every time and place.
Send your blessing upon those
who have served and are now
serving their country.
Let your peace be the sentry
that stands guard over their lives
and shield them from all harm.
Edited and adapted from a blessing by
Bishop John F. Kinney

To welcome a new baby
May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings
beside your nursery door.
And for the proud parents:
May God grant you
a wee bit of heaven
to cradle in your arms -
a sweet bonny baby
to hold close to your heart
A newborn babe
brings light to the house
warmth to the hearth
and joy to the soul
for wealth is family
family is wealth.
Old irish proverb
NOTE: This is a special blessing for our third grandchild, Dashiell Patrick Haggerty who made his debut on November 2, 2006. He is the first child of our son Benjamin and our daughter-in-law Sarah. Sláinte is táinte to them and to Dash!

A Blessing for St. Michael
May St. Michael, the Archangel Prince of the Seraphim and the patron saint of mariners, paratroopers, police and others intercede on your behalf and ask the Good Shepherd of us all to bless and protect from all harm all those who protect us.

Blessing before a meal
Beannaigh sinne, a Dhia.
Beannaigh ár mbia agus ár ndeoch.
ós tú a cheannaigh sinn go daor
Agus a shaor sinn ó olc,
Mar a thug tú an chuid seo dúinn
Go dtuga tú dúinn ár gcuid den ghlóir shíoraí.

Bless us, O God.
Bless our food and our drink.
Since you redeemed us so dearly
and delivered us from evil,
as you gave us a share in this food
so may you give us a share in eternal life.

Back to School Blessing
May the patron saints of scholars and academics - Brigid of Ireland, Catherine of Alexandria, Nicholas of Myra, and Thomas Aquinas ask the Father of all knowledge to bless students with a love of learning and their teachers with wisdom and understanding.
Photo Credit: Gaelscoil De Híde in Roscommon

Blessing on a Fisherman
Thou King of deeds and powers above,
Thy fishing blessing pour down on us.
I will sit me down with an oar in my grasp,
I will row me seven hundred and seven strokes.
I will cast down my hook,
The first fish which I bring up
In the name of Christ, King of the elements,
The poor shall have it at his wish.
And the king of fishers, the brave Peter,
He will after it give me his blessing.
Ariel, Gabriel, and John,
Raphael benign, and Paul,
Columba, tender in every distress,
And Mary fair, the endowed of grace.
Encompass ye us to the fishing-bank of ocean,
And still ye to us the crest of the waves.
Be the King of kings at the end of our course,
Of lengthened life and of lasting happiness.
Be the crown of the King from the Three on high,
Be the cross of Christ adown to shield us,
The crown of the King from the Three above,
The cross of Christ adown to shield us.
From the carmina Gadelica, Volume 1.

May the power of God this day enable me,
The nakedness of God disarm me,
The beauty of God silence me,
The justice of God give me voice,
The integrity of God hold me,
The desire of God move me,
The fear of God expose me to the truth,
The breath of God give me abundant life.

May God not weaken your hand
A popular blessing said in encouragement and praise of someone's work. An alternative to “God bless the work.”

A blessing for those taking a journey
The love and affection of the angels be to you,
The love and affection of the saints be to you,
The love and affection of heaven be to you,
To guard and to cherish you.
May God shield you on every step,
May He aid you on every path,
And may He hold you safe on every slope,
On every hill and on every plain;
On earth and on sea until you are home again.
Photo Credit: Mary’s Public Gallery

May the blessing of God's soft rain
be on you, falling gently on your head,
refreshing your soul with the sweetness
of summer flowers newly blooming.

May God bless all the dads
on this their special day.
Keep them safe, keep them whole,
and keep them from harm’s way.

The Lord delights in the way of the man
whose steps He has made firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand
Psalm 37:23,24
For a sweet tribute to fathers here and in
heaven, we invite you to view Treasured Moments
a poem from the collection
“Soft whispers from Derry’s Heart.”

A Blessing for the Day
May the God of the dawn awaken you
May the God of sunrise stir you up
May the God of morning bless your work
May the God of noon renew your strength
May the God of sunset bring you home
May the God of dusk soothe your soul
May the God of night bring you rest.
Adapted from a blessing by Andrew Greeley
Photo Credit: Good Morning by John Kehely

Blessing for Pentecost Sunday
As the Lord sent His disciples into the world and assured them He would be with them until the end of time, so, too, may the Holy Spirit be with you and yours as you share the word of God’s love with all you meet along the road.
Edited and adapted from a prayer on Sacred Space.

Blessings of Summer
May the sun shine bright on your joyous days,
And the rain refresh you through peaceful nights;
May summer show you God's wondrous ways,
And prepare you for heaven's great delights.
From Irish-American Blessings & Prayers by Andrew M. Greeley.
Image Credit: Blessings of Summer by Thomas Kinkade


God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.
Please god, He will bless her and keep her
though far from me now she is gone
And God willing I’ll once again feel her
loving arms around me once more.
Edited and adpated from the poem
Wonderful Mother by Pat O'Reilly

A Blessing for Beltane Eve
Bless , O God, true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, and my children,
Everything within my dwelling
From Beltane Eve to summer’s ending;
With goodly progress and protecting,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and every waterfall,
Bless the kine that leave the stall,
Bless the sheep that depart the fold,
Bless the goats on the mount of mist,
May Thou attend them and keep them blest,
Thou Being who attends to me
as I bend my knee to Thee.
Adapted from The Beltane Blessing by Carmina Gadelica, p. 183

May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.

A Blessing for Holy Week
From Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday,
may God in His infinite mercy
grant you and yours a journey
of renewal and hope;
a time of prayer and reflection;
And joyful anticipation
of our Lord’s resurrection.

May you enjoy the four greatest blessings:
Honest work for your hands to do.
A hearty appetite to nourish you.
A good man or woman to give you love
And a wink from God himself above.

Of all of God's blessings
the love of an Irish mother
is constant and pure and
unlike any other.
May angels of God
bring her blessings unbounded
as with His love and her
children’s, today
she’s surrounded.
Edited and adapted from a greeting by Happy Day cards. The music that accompanies it is lovely. Turn your speakers on.

May St. Patrick intercede on your behalf
and God be beside you when you walk,
in your voice when you talk,
in your eyes when you see,
in your ears when you hear
in your heart when you pray
in your mind when you think
and in your hands when you touch.
In every sense may it be
that God is with you eternally.

May the power of God guide you, 
The might of God uphold you, 
The wisdom of God teach you, 
The eye of God watch over you, 
The ear of God hear you,
The word of God give you speech, 
The hand of God protect you, 
The way of God go before you, 
The shield of God shelter you.
Adapted from the Lorica by St. patrick

'If there be a guest in your house
And you conceal aught from him,
'Tis not the guest who will be without,
But Jesus, the Son of Mary'

This charity and hospitality was extended above all to the poor. Thus St Colgan, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, asked God in a prayer to light up the soul with charity, mercy and the spirit of forgiveness. May his prayer be answered and may you be blessed with an open home, an open hand and an open heart.
In the liturgical calendar, February 20th is the feast of St. Colgan.

A Blessing for Lovers
May the blessing of light be with you always,
light without and light within,
and may the sun shine upon you and warm your heart,
until it grows like a great fire so that others may feel
the warmth of your love for one another.
Forget Me Not by Kim Anderson from All Posters

Bless the lintel, and bless the wall,
May God send His blessings over all;
Bless the hearth and the light it sheds,
Bless the pillow for weary heads.
Those who tarry here, let them know
A threefold blessing before they go:
Sleep for the weary, peace for sorrow
Faith in yesterday and tomorrow.
Those who go from here, let them carry
The blessing of hope wherever they tarry.
Lintel and window, sill and wall,
Nothing but good this place befall.
Edited and adapted from an old traditional blessing

May you and yours be blessed with the gifts God loved most and which He bestowed upon St. Ita, "the white sun of the women of Munster": true faith with a pure heart, charity and love for all, and a simple, spiritual life.
Image: Orthodox England

A mother's prayer
for God's blessing
on her children

O Thou, to whom to love and be are one,
hear my faith-cry for them who are more
thine than mine.
Give each of them what is best for each.
I cannot tell what it is.
But Thou knowest.
I only ask Thou love them and keep them
With the loving and keeping Thou didst
Show to Mary's Son and Thine.

Throughout the coming year
May your home be warmed
by God's presence,
And may your family
be blessed by His love.

Happy Christmas to you and yours
at this special time of year,
And may you enjoy this Irish blessing
full of gladness, hope and cheer!
Edited from a card by Keara

May your hearth be warm, your holidays grand
And your heart held gently in the Good Lord's Hand.



May the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside, Light on the inside.
With God's sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.
May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in the window,
Welcoming the weary traveller.
May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you,
Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul
With the sweetness of litte flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God's earth be on you,
And as you walk the roads,
May you always have a kind word for those you meet.
May you understand the strength and power of God.
In a thunderstorm in Winter, And the quiet beauty of creation,
In the calm of a Summer sunset, And may you come to realize,
that, insignificant as you may seem in this great Universe,
You are an important part of God's plan.
May he watch over you and keep you safe from harm.
Words and Music By Phil Coulter, narration by Roma Downey
To listen, please click: Blessing.
To purchase the CD or listen to samples of other tracks, please click Healing Angel.


Graces & Blessings Before a Feast
May the blessing of the five loaves and the two fishes which God divided among the five thousand be ours; and may the King who made the division put luck in our food and in our portion.

Bless, O Lord, this food we are about to eat; and we pray You, O God, that it may be good for our body and soul; and if there be any poor creature hungry or thirsty walking along the road, send them into us that we can share the food with them, just as You share your gifts with us.

May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. And once refreshed, may we give new pleasure to You, who gives us all.

The grace of God and the favor of St. Patrick on all that we see and all that we do. The blessing that God put on the five loaves and the two fishes, may He put on this food.

And a blessing for after:
That the roll call this day twelve months may find us all present and none absent.




Blessing for
Irish Soldiers
God bless and keep
who fought and lived.
God bless and keep
who died. For where
and when the Irish fight
Our God is by our side.
Photo Credit: Nato Peace-Keeping Force



The Homecoming.
May the spirits of peace
and tranquility call
To reside in your home
Every room, every wall.
May four Angels protect eaves
North South East and West.
May God's spirit of love
Reassure you are blessed.
May each guest you receive feel
They've answered your call
May you dwell in their presence
To welcome them all.
Contributed by Veronica O'Neill Cresse

Blessing for Samhain
The Wheel of the Year turns
and with it comes celebration,
for this is a time of welcoming
Samhain, the end of summer
and the beginning of winter;
a time when we ask God to
bless us with a healing of
the land, plentiful water,
health, happiness, and
peace overall

An Irish Blessing for Hallowe'en
At all Hallow's Tide, may God keep you safe
From goblin and pooka and black-hearted stranger,
From harm of the water and hurt of the fire,
From thorns of the bramble, from all other danger,
From Will O' The Wisp haunting the mire;
From stumbles and tumbles
and tricksters to vex you,
May God in His mercy, this week protect you.
Maureen McCabe

Bless This House
Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.

Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee.

Helen Taylor, a poet, wrote the original words and titled it "Bless The House." Her friend, Mary Brahe, composed stirring, devotional music to accompany the lyrics. A few years after its publication, the song caught the attention of John McCormack who immediately recognized its potential greatness, changed the title to "Bless This House," made some minor revisions in the lyrics and included the song as a highlight of his repertoire. It became one of his best selling recordings.

Old Irish Prayer
Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear,
when thou art near
O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.
St. Columba

In Time of Sorrow
May you see God's light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Not turn your heart to stone,
And may you always remember
You do not walk alone.

Ag Críost an Síol - To Christ the Seed
Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar;
in iothlainn Dé go dtugtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc;
líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.

Ó fhás go haois, ó aois go bás,
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch nach críoch ach athfhás,
i bParthas na ngrás go rabhaimid.

To Christ the seed, to Christ the crop,
in barn of Christ may we be brought.
To Christ the sea, to Christ the fish,
in nets of Christ may we be caught.

From growth to age, from age to death,
Thy two arms here, O Christ, about us.
From death to end, not end but growth,
in blessed Paradise may we be.
Translated by Thomas Kinsella

May God grant you
the strength and faith
to count your blessings,
not your your crosses;
count your gains
not your losses.
Count your joys
not your woes;
Count your friends
not your foes.
Count your smiles
not your tears;
Count your courage
not your fears.
Count your full years
not your lean;
Count your kind deeds
not your mean.
Count your health
not your wealth;
And love your neighbour
as much as yourself.

Our Lady of Knock,
Queen of Ireland,
Pray for me now,
Our Lady of Knock,
Pray for us all.
Golden Rose,
Queen of Ireland
All our cares and
troubles cease
As we kneel with
love before you
Lady of Knock,
Our Queen of Peace"
Edited and adapted
from the hymn Our Lady of Knock
by Dana

You are the peace of all things calm,
You are the place to hide from harm.
You are the light that shines in dark,
You are the heart's eternal spark.
You are the door that's open wide,
You are the guest who waits inside.
You are the light, the truth, the way,
You are my Saviour this very day.
Celtic blessing from the 1st millennium

Reek Sunday Blessing
As he brought new faith to Ireland
So may He bring to you,
A touch of Irish happiness
In everything you do;
And like the good Saint Patrick
May your home and life be blessed
With all God’s special favours,
Good health and peaceful rest

Blessing for the Soul's Release
You go home this night to your home of winter, to your home of autumn, of spring and of summer;
You go home this night to your lasting home, to your eternal bed, to your eternal sleeping.
Sleep, oh sleep in the quiet of quietness,
Sleep, oh sleep in the way of guidance,
Sleep, oh sleep in the love of all loving.
Traditional Irish blessing, edited from a translation by Caitlin Matthews.

Blessing for the Bereaved
May Our Lady, who with a mother's love wipes away our tears and makes all manner of things well, intercede on behalf of those who are suffering the pain of loss. May God heal their grief, strengthen their faith and grant that their loved one rests in peace with Him for all eternity.
Edited and adapted from a Prayer for the Bereaved by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley

May your days be gold in the rays of the sun;
May your nights be silver in the light of the moon;
May Jesus welcome you when life is done;
But, God willing, may it not be soon;
May breezes brush soft against your face;
May shamrocks and roses line your way;
May you be bathed in God's bounteous grace;
And may you be given or whatever you pray.
Edited and adapted from a Blessing for Friends by Andrew
M. Greeley

Blessing for the 4th of July
While the red flame of sunset
warms each of you
And snow white clouds
point to heaven's door
May you be wrapped in Mary's
mantle blue and your land
be free for evermore
May God grant you long years of life
And liberty to serve each other's needs
May happiness chase all foolish strife
May you seek His spirit in each word and deed.
Edited and adapted from a blessing by Fr. Greeley

Blessing for a new-born
May the nourishment of the earth be yours;
May the clarity of the light be yours;
May the fluency of the ocean be yours;
May the protection of the ancestors be yours,
And may you be buried in a casket made from the
wood of a century old oak I shall plant tomorrow.

Father's Day Blessing
May the Father of us all
bless our oul' fellas,
wherever they might be,
at home in dear old Ireland,
or across the shining sea.
In heaven with the angels
or on earth still with us,
may God be good to the
dear old dad,
the one we love so much.
Photo Credit & Caption: Irish Corner - A Youngster getting valuable tips from Football Star, Maurice Fitzgerald, Co. Kerry

May gentle St. Kevin intercede
on your behalf and ask God
to grant you a simple life
filled with the music of nature,
the song of the birds,
a breeze through the trees, and
the lap of a wave on the shore.

Memorial Day Blessing
God willing He'll keep them
who died fighting in war
God willing their memory
won't stray from us far.

God willing He'll bless them
who still fight the good fights
God willing He'll bring
them safe home to our hearts.

Safe Journey, Safe Home
Blessing of a Guardian Angel
May your Being of Brightness,
Your Friend of Light,
Gently encircle you,
Sweetly enclose you
Guard your soul
By day and night.
Keep you from anguish
keep you from danger
Encircle your voyage over the seas;
Be a guarding star above you
Illuminate each rock and tide;
Guide your ship across the waters
To the waveless harborside.
Edited and adapted from The Little Book of Celtic Blessings
compiled by Caitlin Matthews

A Blessing for the nearness of God
As the sheep to the shepherd
As the branch to the vine
As the flower to the stem
As the bride to her groom

As the fish to the water
As the bird to the air
As the star to the sky
As the sun to the moon

As the plant to its seed
As the grass to the dew
As a babe to its mother
May God be near you.
Edited and adapted from A Book of Irish American Blessings & Prayers by Andrew M. Greeley

Mother's Day Blessing
Tis the month of Mary,
Blessed Queen of the May,
Mother of God we pray to you,
Bless and protect all mothers
on this their special day.

May Mary's month explode with life
Flesh and fleece, fur and feather,
Grass, trees and flowers together;
And make our world a paradise
Wrapped in a kaleidoscope of color
And may God in heaven bless this
Season of hope,
Mary's Month,
The earth's rebirth.
Edited and adapted from a blessing by Andrew M. Greeley
Photo Credit: Irish Corner/Keewi Photography

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 Himself above

Wedding Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you both
On each and every morn.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
Of waving yellow corn.
May the wind be always at your back
And the sun's warmth on your face.
And until we meet again my friends,
God keep you in his grace.

May the grains of sand upon the shore
Number all your days.
May the love of God in darkest times
Enlighten all your ways.
May the pipes forever be your soul
And the bodhran beat your heart.
And the jigs and reels your ups and downs
Till life's ceile you depart.

May the rest of life be the best of life
And no one do you wrong.
May children's laughter be your music
Their growing be your song.
And when the time says you must part
As time will always do
May God go with you both my friends
And this blessing stay with you.
Written by by Frank Lennon & reprinted with the kind permission of Vivian & Jack Hennessey

May the prayers of Mary, bright "Sun of the Irish race," help all Irish homes to be like the holy house of Nazareth. From them may all Christians go forth, as Jesus did from Nazareth. May they go forth in the power of the Spirit to continue Christ's work and to follow in His footsteps towards the end of the millennium, into the 21st century.
Dia agus Muire libh!
May God and Mary be with you and with the families of Ireland, always!
Edited and adapted from Pope John Paul II’s homily at the Mass in Limerick on October 1, 1979.

When Irish eyes are smiling
and Irish smiles are wide,
When Irish hearts are happy
and the piper plays a slide,
when Irish stew is bubbling
and the soda bread is hot
and the Irish tea is steeping in
a little irish pot,
When the room is warm with laughter
and the songs are bright and bold
and there's poetry and magic
in the stories that are told,
Isn't it a blessing,
isn't it just grand
to know the heart and soul
of you belongs to ireland?


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Images: The Sea by Reint Withaar. This artist specializes in works that are both tranquil and inspiring; from Barewalls Prints.
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