Why We Love Irish Toasts
Irish camaraderie and the lyrical magic of our Gaelic language, is what makes Irish toasts and Irish drinking toasts so great.
They are a union of warmth, humor, and often have a touch of wisdom. These toasts, along with Irish people’s many blessings and prayers, are known and loved worldwide.
These traditional sayings carry the spirit of a culture known for its resounding laughter, its deep friendships, and its heartfelt hospitality.
From whiskey-soaked gatherings in cosy pub corners to family celebrations at home, these toasts have long been the soulful echoes reverberating within Irish social interactions, cementing bonds and creating unforgettable moments. They also reflect Ireland’s many traditions, which include a pint or two.
So, let’s raise our glasses to explore the poetic charm and robust character that is uniquely, beautifully Irish.
Some great toasts that we will explore include the famous may you never steal lie or cheat toast that is known worldwide, as well the infamous here’s to cheating stealing fighting and drinking toast.
Irish Toasts
May we get what we want,
May we get what we need,
But may we never get what we deserve
Health and a long life to you.
Land without rent to you.
A child every year to you.
And if you can’t go to heaven,
May you at least die in Ireland
May you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed,
and may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed
Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last
Here’s to me, and here’s to you,
And here’s to love and laughter-
I’ll be true as long as you,
And not one moment after
Health and life to you;
The mate of your choice to you;
Land without rent to you,
And death in Eirinn
Here’s to you and yours
And to mine and ours.
And if mine and ours
Ever come across to 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
May the good Lord take a liking to you.
But not too soon
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.
May the doctor never earn a pound out of you
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
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty
There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be
I have known many,
and liked not a few,
but loved only one
and this toast is to you
To live above with the Saints we love,
Ah, that is the purest glory.
To live below with the Saints we know,
Ah, that is another story
Here’s to the land of the shamrock so green,
Here’s to each lad and his darlin colleen,
Here’s to the ones we love dearest and most.
May God bless old Ireland, that’s this Irishman’s toast
I have known many,
and liked not a few,
but loved only one
and this toast is to you
May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road…
And may all your friends remember
all the favours you are owed
May your heart be light and happy,
May your smile be big and wide,
And may your pockets always have
a coin or two inside
May the face of every good news
and the back of every bad news be towards us
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
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping
May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past
May you get all your wishes but one,
so that you will always have something to strive for
May your mornings bring joy
and your evenings bring peace..
May your troubles grow less
as your blessings increase
May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up
May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live
May you be in heaven a full half-hour before the devil knows your dead.
Irish Drinking Toasts
May you never lie, steal, cheat or drink.
But if you must lie, lie in each other’s arms.
If you must steal, steal kisses.
If you must cheat, cheat death.
And if you must drink, drink with us, your friends
Irish Cheers
To say an Irish cheers when in a pub, you say Slainte (shlawn-ta).
Here’s to the wine we love to drink, and the food we like to eat.
Here’s to our wives and sweethearts, let’s pray they never meet.
Here’s champagne for our real friends. And real pain for our sham friends.
And when this life is over, may all of us find peace
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 beer and another one
May the winds of fortune sail you,
May you sail a gentle sea.
May it always be the other guy
who says this drink’s on me.
May your Guardian angel be at your side to pick ya up off the floor
and hand ya another cold stout from the store
When we drink, we get drunk.
When we get drunk, we fall asleep.
When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let’s all get drunk, and go to heaven
Four blessings upon you…
Older whiskey
Younger women
Faster horses
More money
May the devil make a ladder of your backbone,
While he is picking apples in the garden of Hell
Here’s to cheating, stealing, fighting, and drinking.
If you cheat, may you cheat death.
If you steal, may you steal a woman’s heart.
If you fight, may you fight for a brother.
And if you drink, may you drink with me
May you work like you don’t need the money,
love like you’ve never been hurt,
dance like no-one is watching,
screw like it’s being filmed,
and drink like a true Irishman
Be one who drinks the finest of ales.
Every day without fail.
Even when you have drank enough,
Remember that ale is wonderful stuff
Best while you have it use your breath,
There is no drinking after death
A Merry Christmas this December
To a lot of folks, I don’t remember
Here’s to holly and ivy hanging up,
And to something wet in every cup
When money’s tight and hard to get
and your horse is also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt
a pint of plain is your only man
Here’s a toast to the roast that good fellowship lends,
With the sparkle of beer and wine;
May its sentiment always be deeper, my friends,
Than the foam at the top of the stein
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
I drink to your health when I’m with you,
I drink to your health when I’m alone,
I drink to your health so often,
I’m starting to worry about my own!
Here’s to being single.
Drinking doubles.
And seeing triple!
Here’s to women’s kisses,
and to whiskey, amber clear;
Not as sweet as a woman’s kiss,
but a darn sight more sincere!
Here’s to a temperance supper,
With water in glasses tall,
And coffee and tea to end with–
And me not there at all!
May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience,
and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day
Irish Toasts – FAQ’s
What is the significance of Irish toasts, and why are they so beloved worldwide?
Irish toasts are renowned for their union of warmth, humor, and wisdom. They carry the spirit of a culture known for laughter, deep friendships, and heartfelt hospitality.
From whiskey-soaked gatherings to family celebrations, Irish toasts have long been integral to Irish social interactions, creating unforgettable moments and reflecting Ireland’s rich traditions.
This connection to community, humor, and tradition has led to their worldwide appreciation.
Can you provide an example of a famous Irish drinking toast?
Certainly! A well-known Irish drinking toast is:
“May you never lie, steal, cheat or drink. But if you must lie, lie in each other’s arms. If you must steal, steal kisses. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with us, your friends.”
What is the appropriate way to say cheers in an Irish pub?
In an Irish pub, the traditional way to say cheers is “Slainte,” pronounced “shlawn-ta.” It is a customary expression used when raising a glass in a toast.
Are Irish toasts only related to drinking and celebration, or do they have deeper meanings?
While many Irish toasts are associated with drinking and celebration, they often carry deeper meanings and reflect broader aspects of life.
They can convey blessings, wishes for good health, insights about love and friendship, and even philosophical reflections about life and death.
Their lyrical quality and poetic charm make them versatile and meaningful in various contexts.
Where can I experience traditional Irish toasts?
Traditional Irish toasts can be experienced in various settings within Ireland and Irish communities worldwide.
They are commonly shared during gatherings in pubs, family celebrations, festive occasions, and other social interactions where the Irish culture is celebrated.
Whether in a cozy corner of an Irish pub or at a family dinner, you may find Irish toasts being raised to create memorable connections and cement bonds.