What's in a Word Celebrates the Emerald Isle by Fran Joyce
The Irish have a way with words. They are known for their blessings and their storytelling abilities. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve selected ten Irish blessings/sayings and ten quotes from Irish creatives. Choosing only one quote from Oscar Wilde is hard! We also have ten Irish (Gaeilge) words you should know.
Irish Blessings and Sayings:
“Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or an idiot from any direction.”
“May the roof above you never fall in, and those around you never fall out.”
“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.”
“May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends.”
“ A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.”
“May you get all your wishes but one, so you always have something to strive for.”
“May neighbors respect you; trouble neglect you; the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.”
“May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy you a pint!”
“May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, and quick to make friends.”
“May misfortune follow you the rest of your life and never catch up.”
Quotes from Famous Irish Creatives:
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde – playwright, poet, and visionary
“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” Iris Murdoch – philosopher and novelist
“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” James Joyce - author
“How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.” Bram Stoker – author
“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” George Bernard Shaw – playwright
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” William Butler Yeats – poet
“You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday.” Jonathan Swift – poet, satirist, and essayist.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett – playwright
“It’s lovely to know that the world can’t interfere with the inside of your head.” Frank Mc Court from Angela’s Ashes
“It is not helpful to help a friend by putting coins in his pockets when he has got holes in his pockets.” Elizabeth Bowen – author
Irish (Gaeilge) Words You Should Know:
Aoibhneas (EEV-nass) -bliss, delight.
Aisling (ASH-ling) – dream or vision.
Cara (KA-ra) – friend.
Croí (pronounced cree) – heart or love
Fáilte (pronounced fawl-cha) – joy, bliss, or happiness. It’s mostly used to say, “welcome.”
Grá (pronounced graw) – love
Niamh (pronounced nee-uv) - radiance
Saoirse (pronounced sear-sha) - freedom
Suaimhneas (pronounced sue-uv-ness) – peace.
Teaghlach (pronounced ch-eye-lock) household or family.
Sources Used for this article:
https://nosweatshakespeare.com/literature/best-irish-authors/