Irish blessings are anonymous folk verses from the Gaelic tradition that wish good things on the recipient. They are used on St. Patrick’s Day — March 17 — in greeting cards, text messages, social posts, and toasts. The most recognized example is The Irish Blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you.” This page collects 80 blessings organized by tone, prayer, length, and occasion.
What Are Irish Blessings? ☘️
An Irish blessing is an anonymous folk verse that wishes good fortune, health, love, or God’s protection on another person. It speaks directly to the recipient using the word “May” — as in “May you have…” or “May God hold you…” — and it belongs to the Gaelic folk tradition of Ireland.
Most Irish blessings carry no confirmed author and no verified date of composition. 11There are two Latin works that can definitely be attributed to St. Patrick’s own authorship, composed in the fifth century — but the folk blessings passed around on St. Patrick’s Day are not among them. Those anonymous verses were 8likely carried across oceans by the Irish diaspora, becoming embedded in Irish-American culture.
Many websites claim Irish blessings date to “ancient Celtic times.” No scholarly source currently confirms this with a specific date range. The honest answer is that the origin of most folk blessings is unknown. That uncertainty does not reduce their beauty or their usefulness.
| Type | Definition | Example | Use-case |
| Irish Blessing | Anonymous folk verse wishing good things | “May the road rise to meet you” | Cards, toasts, farewells, social posts |
| Irish Proverb | Short philosophical statement | “A friend’s eye is a good mirror” | Reflection, conversation |
| Irish Prayer | Direct address to God; authored | St. Patrick’s Breastplate | Devotional, liturgical, morning prayer |
| Irish Saying | Colloquial folk expression | “What’s the craic?” | Casual conversation |
These four formats are not interchangeable. Using an Irish proverb as a blessing — or crediting a folk blessing to St. Patrick himself — misrepresents what you are sharing. The sections below respect those distinctions throughout. ☘️
The Most Famous Irish Blessing — Full Text, Gaelic Original, and Meaning 🌟
The most famous Irish blessing in the world is simply called The Irish Blessing. 8It originates from the Gaelic phrase “Go n-éirí an bóthar leat” and is widely used at farewells, weddings, and any moment of new beginning.
English Text
May the road rise up 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.
Gaelic Original Text ☘️
9 The Irish Blessing in Irish Gaelic is:
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.
6 The pronunciation of the first line is approximately: *Guh ny-ree on boh-har lyat.*
A note on translation: 2The first line, as originally written in Irish, can be more literally translated as “May you succeed on the road” rather than “May the road rise up to meet you.” The poetic English version is a creative rendering that captures the spirit, not a word-for-word translation.
A note on variants: The final line appears in two common forms — “the palm of His hand” and “the hollow of His hand.” Both are correct. The variation reflects centuries of oral transmission across generations, during which words naturally shifted. Neither version is wrong. The “palm” form is more common in print; the “hollow” form appears in older oral traditions.
What Does “May the Road Rise to Meet You” Mean? 🌿
The Irish Blessing carries three layers of meaning drawn from Scripture and nature.
- The wind 🌬️ — “May the wind be always at your back” is thought to reference the Holy Spirit, who appeared as “a mighty wind” at Pentecost. This interpretation connects the blessing to Christian tradition. (Source: James Wilson, IrishCentral — Irish Central on the Irish blessing meaning)
- The sun ☀️ — The warmth of the sun alludes to God’s mercy. 1The New Testament (Luke 1:78, NIV) states: “by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven.” (Full verse at Luke 1:78 on Bible Gateway)
- The rain 🌧️ — Rain symbolizes God’s provision. Without rain, nothing grows. The blessing asks that God’s provision fall gently and consistently on the recipient’s life.
The blessing is anonymous. It is not written by St. Patrick. 8Many traditional Irish blessings are Christian in origin, invoking God, saints, or divine protection — but many others are secular, referring only to nature, luck, and goodwill.
For the matching occasion guide, visit Mother's Day blessings.
Classic and Traditional Irish Blessings ☘️
These 20 blessings are the most widely recognized in the Irish tradition. 8The Irish have always had a remarkable gift for wishing fortune upon others. Most of these verses are anonymous, passed down through generations without a confirmed author or date.
Each blessing below carries a tone tag — [Traditional], [Friendship], [Home], or [Prosperity] — to help you choose the right one for your occasion. 🌟
- May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, And nothing but happiness come through your door. (~70 characters) [Traditional]
- May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. [Traditional]
- May love and laughter light your days And warm your hearth and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, Wherever you may roam. [Friendship] — A natural choice for a St. Patrick’s Day card to a close friend.
- May the roof above us never fall in, And may the friends gathered below it never fall out. (~80 characters — fits one text message) [Friendship]
- 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. [Home] — Widely used at housewarming gatherings.
- May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future. [Traditional]
- 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’ve gone too far. [Traditional]
- 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. [Traditional]
- May peace and plenty bless your world With a joy that long endures, And may all life’s passing seasons Bring the best to you and yours. [Traditional]
- 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. [Traditional] — Common in Irish Catholic households at Easter and St. Patrick’s Day.
- May your heart be warm and happy With the lilt of Irish laughter, Every day in every way, And forever and ever after. [Traditional]
- May the Lord keep you in His hand And never close His fist too tight. (~65 characters) [Traditional]
- May the grace of God’s protection And His great love abide Within your home, within the hearts Of all who dwell inside. [Home]
- 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. [Traditional]
- May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road, And may your friends remember all the favors you are owed. [Friendship]
- 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. [Traditional] — One of the few blessings that directly names St. Patrick.
- 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. [Friendship]
- Bless you and yours, As well as the cottage you live in. May the roof overhead be well thatched, And those inside be well matched. [Home]
- May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you. [Traditional]
- May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch to your door, And happiness be your guest today and evermore. [Prosperity]
Irish Blessings About Friendship 🤝
These four blessings from the list above are especially suited for sharing with a friend on St. Patrick’s Day. They focus on loyalty, laughter, and the warmth of companionship — themes at the heart of the Irish blessing tradition.
- Blessing 3 — “May love and laughter light your days” — ideal for a card to a lifelong friend
- Blessing 4 — “May the roof above us never fall in” — great for a group toast or social post
- Blessing 15 — “May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road” — suits a friend who lives far away
- Blessing 17 — “May you have a world of wishes at your command” — warm and all-occasion friendly
Irish Prayers and Religious Blessings for St. Patrick’s Day 🙏
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This section covers two things that are often confused: prayers St. Patrick himself wrote, and anonymous prayer-blessings in the Irish tradition. They are not the same thing, and knowing the difference matters.
What Did St. Patrick Actually Write?
St. Patrick wrote exactly two documents that survive to this day. 11There are two Latin works, still surviving, that can definitely be attributed to St. Patrick’s own authorship — composed in the fifth century and preserved in manuscripts dating from the 800s onwards. These are:
- The Confessio — his autobiography, beginning with the line “Ego Patricius peccator rusticissimus” (“My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person.”) 20The opening line of the Confessio already announces who the writer is. It is freely available in Latin, Irish, and English at confessio.ie, published by the Royal Irish Academy (Confessio.ie (Royal Irish Academy)).
- The Epistola — a letter condemning the mistreatment of Irish Christians by a British chieftain named Coroticus.
The folk blessings in this article — including “May the road rise to meet you” — are not written by St. Patrick. They are anonymous Gaelic folk verses. Crediting them to St. Patrick is a widespread and understandable error, but it is still an error.
What Is St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer? ⚔️
St. Patrick’s Breastplate is a prayer attributed to St. Patrick himself — distinct from the anonymous folk blessings. It is also called the Lorica, from the Latin word for “a Roman cuirass of leather or metal.” 11The St. Patrick’s Confessio resource, maintained by the Royal Irish Academy, constitutes an internet resource for investigating the saint’s own writings.
The Breastplate is used as a morning prayer of protection. Its most recognizable passage is:
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
The full Breastplate prayer (“I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity…”) is significantly longer than the passage above. Both the abbreviated and full forms are used in Catholic and Protestant Irish traditions. Neither is the “wrong” version — they serve different contexts.
12 Religious Irish Blessings 🙏
- May the strength of God pilot us, May the power of God preserve us, May the wisdom of God instruct us, May the hand of God protect us. (Drawn from the themes of St. Patrick’s Breastplate — a prayer-blessing of protection.)
- May God grant you always — A sunbeam to warm you, A moonbeam to charm you, A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you.
- For each petal on the shamrock, This brings a wish your way — Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day. (The shamrock’s three leaves represent the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the symbol St. Patrick used to teach Christianity in Ireland.)
- May the grace of God on you And the blessing of Saint Patrick Rest upon you today And every day of your life.
- 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.
- May God give you: For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer. (A widely used Irish prayer-blessing for someone facing difficulty — suited for a sympathy card or a prayer service.)
- May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hand. And never close His fist too tight on you. And though you may not see His plan — May you trust His hand is there.
- Like the goodness of the five loaves and two fishes, Which God divided among the five thousand, May the blessing of the King who so divided Be upon our share of this common meal. (A traditional grace before meals, rooted in the Gospel of John.)
- Here’s to a fellow who smiles When life runs along like a song — And here’s to the lad who can smile When everything goes dead wrong. (A short blessing that honors resilience — appropriate for a church bulletin or St. Patrick’s Day service.)
- May the road you travel be bright with sun, May your day be merry when day’s work is done, May God’s love surround you, go with you each mile, And may He grant you always the gift of a smile.
- May God bless you with His peace That passes all understanding, And hold you in the warmth Of His everlasting arms.
- May the prayers of all the saints Rise up to meet you on your way, And may the blessing of St. Patrick Be with you this holy day.
For the matching occasion guide, visit New Year blessings.
What Are Short Irish Blessings for Cards, Texts, and Instagram? 📱
Short Irish blessings are the most practical format for St. Patrick’s Day. 31Instagram captions allow up to 2,200 characters (source: replug.io/blog/instagram-character-limits), but most people want something much shorter for a card, text, or social post. A standard SMS text message fits 160 characters per segment.
Every blessing below is under 160 characters and fits a single text message, a greeting card, or a social media post without any formatting needed. 📲 The character count appears in parentheses next to each blessing.
Development note: A “Copy” button next to each blessing on the published page removes friction for mobile users and directly serves the copy-and-share intent of this page.
- May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. (~52 characters) ☘️ [Card / Text / Instagram]
- May the luck of the Irish be with you today. (~46 characters) [Text / Instagram]
- May your home always be too small to hold all your friends. (~59 characters) [Card / Toast]
- Bless your little Irish heart and every other Irish part. (~58 characters) 😄 [Text / Instagram]
- May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. (~51 characters) [Card / Text]
- May good luck pursue you each morning and night. (~49 characters) [Text / Instagram]
- May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty. (~51 characters) 🤝 [Card / Text — friendship]
- May you live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live. (~68 characters) [Card / Toast]
- May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future. (~62 characters) [Card / Text / Instagram]
- May love connect us, faith direct us, and God protect us. (~57 characters) [Card — religious]
- May the luck of the Irish lead to happiest heights. (~52 characters) [Instagram / Text]
- Wishing you a pot o’ gold and all the joy your heart can hold. ☘️ (~65 characters) [Card / Text]
- May your heart be warm and happy with the lilt of Irish laughter. (~67 characters) [Instagram / Card]
- May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. (~58 characters) 🌅 [Text / Instagram]
- May you always have a clean heart, a kind word, and a friend who listens. (~74 characters) [Card — friendship]
What Is a Good Irish Blessing to Write in a St. Patrick’s Day Card? 💌
Three blessings work best for a St. Patrick’s Day card. Blessing 33 (“May your troubles be less and your blessings be more” — 52 characters) fits even a small gift tag. Blessing 39 (“May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty” — 51 characters) suits a card to a close friend. Blessing 42 (“May love connect us, faith direct us, and God protect us” — 57 characters) works for a card with a religious tone. All three are under 160 characters and require no editing to fit.
Funny Irish Blessings That Will Make Anyone Smile 😄
Irish humor runs through the blessing tradition the same way wit runs through Irish conversation — straight-faced, pointed, and often turning a good wish into a gentle punchline. 8The Irish have always had a remarkable gift for wishing fortune upon others — and an equally remarkable gift for undercutting that wish with a single comic line.
Most Irish humorous blessings follow the same structural pattern: an opening of genuine good wishes followed by a comic subversion in the final line. The “bannister of life” blessing, the “turn their ankles” blessing, and the “half an hour before the devil” blessing all share this exact set-up/subversion structure. Once you see the pattern, you notice it everywhere.
⚠️ Practical note: Several funny Irish blessings below are structured as drinking toasts (“Here’s to…”). If you need a humor blessing for a family event, a workplace, or a children’s setting, choose items 48, 49, 53, 55, or 59. Those carry no alcohol references and are fully family-safe. 😊
- As you slide down the bannister of life, May the splinters never point the wrong way. (Described as “a perennial favorite” among funny Irish blessings — today.com) 😄 [Family-Safe]
- May those who love us, love us. And those who 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! 😂 [Family-Safe]
- May you be in heaven a half hour Before the devil knows you’re dead. (This is one of the most widely recognized Irish toasts. Its origin is disputed — no single author has been confirmed. Multiple sources identify it as a traditional Irish saying of unknown authorship.) 🍺 [Toast/Adult]
- 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! 🍺 [Toast/Adult]
- 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.” 🍺 [Toast/Adult]
- May Dame Fortune smile upon you — And may you never meet her daughter, Miss Fortune. 😄 [Family-Safe]
- Here’s to those who’ve seen us at our best And seen us at our worst — And can’t tell the difference! 🍺 [Toast/Adult]
- May misfortune follow you all the days of your life And never catch up. 😄 [Family-Safe]
- May you get all your wishes but one — So you always have something to strive for. 😄 [Family-Safe]
- May you never find frogs in your underpants. 😂 (~45 characters — fits a text perfectly) [Family-Safe]
- 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! 🍺 [Toast/Adult]
- Here’s to the health of your enemies’ enemies. 🥂 [Family-Safe / Toast]
For the matching occasion guide, visit Thanksgiving blessings.
Irish Blessings for Every Occasion 🌟
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Irish blessings have served life’s most important moments for generations — weddings, funerals, births, farewells, and new beginnings. 8A traditional blessing for good luck suits the start of a new job, a journey, an exam, or any fresh beginning. The 20 blessings below are organized by occasion so you can find the right one instantly.
Cross-reference: For the all-occasion Irish blessing, see Section 2 — The Irish Blessing (“May the road rise up to meet you”) is the single most versatile blessing on this page and fits every occasion listed below.
Irish Blessings for Birthdays 🎂
- May the good Lord take a liking to you — But not too soon! (Short, gentle humor — perfect for a birthday card.)
- May you live to be one hundred years, With one extra year to repent. (Affectionate and Irish in spirit — works for milestone birthdays.)
- Health and long life to you, Land without rent to you, And may you die in Ireland. (A classic Irish birthday wish with three distinct good-luck elements.)
Irish Blessings for Weddings and Marriage 💍
2 The Irish Blessing (“May the road rise to meet you”) is commonly spoken at Irish weddings, being seen as a fitting way to wish someone well as they embark on the lifelong journey of marriage. These three blessings complement it perfectly.
- When the roaring flames of your love have burned down to embers, May you find that you’ve married your best friend. (One of the most widely used Irish wedding blessings — works equally in a ceremony reading or a card.)
- May you always find three welcomes in life: In a garden during summer, At a hearth during winter, And in the hearts of friends throughout all your years. (Suitable for a wedding program or reception toast.)
- Bless you and yours, as well as the cottage you live in. May the roof overhead be well thatched, And those inside be well matched. (A traditional Irish home-and-marriage blessing used at wedding ceremonies and housewarming events.)
Irish Blessings for Travel and Farewell ✈️
2 The French equivalent of “Go n-éirí an bóthar leat” would be “bon voyage” — this blessing is very apt for a going away party or wishing someone safe travels.
- May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, And until we meet again — May God hold you in the palm of His hand. (The Irish Blessing in its farewell form — the original use for which it was written.)
- 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.
Irish Blessings for a New Home 🏡
- May your new home always be too small to hold all your friends. (A short, warm home blessing — 65 characters, fits a housewarming card perfectly.)
- May the walls of your new home hold laughter, May the roof let in no rain, May the hearth stay warm all winter, And may love fill every room.
Irish Blessings for Loss, Bereavement, and Funerals 🕊️
These two blessings carry the solemn, comforting tone that loss requires. Both are appropriate for a funeral program, a sympathy card, or a graveside reading. No humor appears here.
- May perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in the peace of God’s hand, Held gently — the same hand that blessed them Every day of their life.
- We cannot share this sorrow If we haven’t grieved a while, Nor can we feel another’s joy Until we’ve learned to smile. May God walk beside you through both grief and joy.
Irish Blessings for the New Year 🎉
- May the new year bring you courage to break your resolutions early — Our strength cannot last the whole year. May you find peace, laughter, and a good companion for the road ahead.
- May the year ahead hold gentler roads, Warmer skies, and kinder days. May every door you knock on open, And every path you walk be clear. (Appropriate for a New Year’s card or a 2026 St. Patrick’s Day greeting.)
Irish Blessings for Christmas 🎄
- May the Christmas season fill your heart With the warmth of old friends, The laughter of family, And the quiet peace of the Irish night.
- May the light of the Christmas star guide you, May the warmth of home and hearth cheer you, May the cheer of good companions ease your journey, And may the promise of new life fill every corner of your heart this season.
Irish Blessings for Retirement, Graduation, and Milestones 🎓
These two blessings are versatile enough to fit retirement, graduation, an anniversary, or any major new chapter.
- May your new road rise to meet you, This chapter hold the best that life can give, And may you find in rest or work — More reasons every day to live and love.
- You’ve got to do your own growing, No matter how tall your grandfather was — May your next chapter be your tallest yet.
Irish Blessings for Kids and Families 👨👩👧👦
Every blessing here is short, simple, and free of archaic language and alcohol references — safe for children’s St. Patrick’s Day events, school bulletins, and family cards.
- May your mornings be merry, Your evenings be bright, And may shamrocks bring you Good luck day and night. ☘️ (4 lines, ~100 characters — fits a child’s Valentine-sized card.)
- Bless every member of this family — May joy be in every room, And love be in every corner. (A simple family blessing, suitable for a framed print or a family prayer.)
- May your little heart be happy, May your days be full of play, And may a little Irish luck Find you every day. ☘️ (~93 characters — short enough for a child’s birthday card or an Easter card.)
What Makes an Irish Blessing Different from an Irish Proverb or Saying? 🤔
An Irish blessing is an anonymous folk verse that addresses the recipient directly and wishes something good upon them. Every blessing in this collection uses the word “May” or “Here’s to” — it is an act of wishing, not an observation.
An Irish proverb is a short philosophical statement that describes how the world works. “A friend’s eye is a good mirror” is a proverb. “Time is a great storyteller” is a proverb. Neither is a blessing, because neither wishes anything upon a specific person.
An Irish prayer addresses God directly. St. Patrick’s Breastplate (“I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity”) is a prayer. The folk blessing “May God hold you in the palm of His hand” is a blessing that mentions God — but it still addresses the recipient, not God.
These distinctions matter in practice. A proverb read aloud at a wedding does not serve the same function as a blessing. A blessing given at a church service carries different weight than a witty saying on a card.
On the “7 Irish Blessings” question: Several search queries ask specifically about “the 7 Irish blessings.” No single authoritative source defines a canonical set of exactly 7 Irish blessings. The number “seven” holds symbolic significance in Irish and Celtic tradition (seven blessings, seven gifts), which likely explains why the phrase circulates — but no official list of “the 7” exists. The most widely cited and recognized blessings are the ones in Sections 2 and 3 of this page.
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For the matching occasion guide, visit Christmas blessings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Blessings ❓
What is the full Irish blessing?
The Irish Blessing reads: “May the road rise up 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.” It is anonymous, Gaelic in origin, and most commonly used at farewells and weddings.
What are some very short Irish blessings?
Three Irish blessings under 70 characters: (1) “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more” (~52 characters). (2) “May the luck of the Irish be with you today” (~46 characters). (3) “May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty” (~50 characters). Each fits a single text message or a greeting card.
What’s a good saying for St. Patrick’s Day?
The most widely used St. Patrick’s Day blessing is “May the road rise up to meet you.” For a shorter option, use “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more” (52 characters). For a funny card, use “As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.” All three are appropriate for March 17.
What is the difference between an Irish blessing and an Irish proverb?
An Irish blessing is an anonymous folk verse wishing good things on the recipient — it addresses the person directly (“May you…”). An Irish proverb is a short philosophical observation attributed to Irish tradition (“Time is a great storyteller”). The two are distinct formats. A proverb is not a blessing, and substituting one for the other mismatches the occasion.
What did St. Patrick actually write?
11 There are two Latin works that can definitely be attributed to St. Patrick’s own authorship: the Confessio and the Epistola, composed in the fifth century. The folk blessings called “Irish blessings” — including “May the road rise to meet you” — were not written by St. Patrick. They are anonymous folk verses. St. Patrick’s actual writings are freely available at confessio.ie, published by the Royal Irish Academy (Confessio.ie (Royal Irish Academy)).
What is an appropriate Irish blessing for a funeral or bereavement?
Blessing 70 on this page — “May perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in the peace of God’s hand, held gently — the same hand that blessed them every day of their life” — is appropriate for a funeral program, sympathy card, or graveside reading. It is solemn, brief, and draws on the Irish tradition of God’s protective hand.
