Irish Blessings for Christmas: Season’s Greetings from Ireland!

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time to reconnect with loved ones and be grateful for all that we have.

Irish Blessings for Christmas help to spread the good cheer with a bit of Irish flair and Irish humor.

Discover some of the best Irish Christmas Blessings for your family and friends here. 

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What are Irish Blessings? 

Irish Blessings are short phrases or poems with positive intentions. 

They aim to wish someone well and very often try to add some humor to the situation too. 

Blessings as Part of Irish Culture 

Blessings are a central part of Irish culture. There are Irish Blessings for Birthdays.

Weddings Blessings are another popular type of blessing from Ireland that are often used in speeches and toasts.

In times of saddness, people can also turn to blessings, for example Irish Funeral Blessings.

While it is hard to pinpoint the exact origin of blessings, the Irish have a long history of superstition. 

In ancient Celtic times, druids were seen as being very powerful.

Their words alone had the power to influence luck, health, prosperity and the future.

The words of others were also thought to hold significant power. 

This led to blessings, as well as curses, becoming part and parcel of Celtic and later Irish culture. 

Even certain acts, like giving someone a strange glance (the “Evil Eye”), could be interpreted as bringing bad luck. 

Irish Christmas Blessings and Irish Christmas Sayings

For many people Christmas is a time of happiness and joy.

People often make that extra effort to reconnect with family and friends, some of whom they might not see regularly.

Many people opt to use short Irish Blessings as Christmas greetings during the holiday season.  

Irish Blessings and Irish Sayings are essentially good wishes that reflect the positive intentions of the well wisher. 

They are applicable in a wide range of circumstances and a great way to wish someone a happy Christmas and new year. 

You might want to wish someone who lives in Ireland a lovely Irish Christmas.

Alternatively, for those with special Irish connections, including Irish Christmas greetings in messages can be very meaningful. 

Related Article: New Year Blessings from Ireland

Irish Christmas Blessings

May peace and plenty be the first
To lift the latch on your door, 
And happiness be guided to your home, 
By the candle of Christmas.

May the Blessings of Christmas be with you,
May the Christ Child light your way,
May God’s holy angels guide you,
And keep you safe each day.

The light of the Christmas star to you,
The warmth of home and hearth to you,
The cheer and good will 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.

Would you like to know some of the most popular Irish Christmas songs? Discover them in our Irish Christmas playlist article. 

(This includes a great selection of Christmas songs in Irish.)

Traditional Irish Blessings for Christmas 

Here you will find some inspiration for wonderful Christmas blessings from the Emerald Isle. 

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.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that pass away
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

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.

If you are interested to learn about Irish Christmas traditions, then take a look at our detailed Irish Christmas Traditions Guide. 

It includes the festivities that take place before Christmas, the wonderful Christmas morning Santa fun, as well as the 12 days of Christmas celebrations afterwards.

Irish Blessings for the Home at Christmas

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.

And bless the rooftree overhead,
And every sturdy wall
The peace of man, the peace of God
The peace of love on all.

May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

Irish Blessings for Good Luck at Christmas

Good times, good friends, 
good health to you 
and the luck of the Irish in all that you do.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, 
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

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.

Irish Blessings for Friends at Christmas

May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load.

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

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 the roof over our heads never fall in. 
And may we as friends never fall out.

May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends. 

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.

Irish Blessings for Health and Longevity

May you live as long as you want,
But never want as long as you live.

May the good Lord take a liking to you,
But not too soon.

May you get all your wishes but one
So you always have something to strive for!

May your coffin be made of finest wood 
From a 100-year-old tree, 
That I’ll go plant tomorrow!

Funny Irish Christmas Blessings

As you slide down the banisters of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way.

May your troubles
Be as few and as far apart
As my Grandmother’s teeth.

Grant me a sense of humor, Lord, 
The saving grace to see a joke, 
To win some happiness from life, 
And pass it on to other folks.

The Irish Blessing or The Irish Prayer

The widespread applicability of The Irish Blessing is one that makes it appeal to a lot of people. 

It is sometimes referred to as the Irish Prayer, or simply “May the Road Rise to Meet You”. Due to its versatility, it can easily be adapted as an Irish Christmas Prayer. 

This is one of the most popular Blessings Irish people use for different occassions.

These include weddings, funerals, farewell parties and when people are about to embark on other new endeavors. 

You can use the English and Irish language versions as Irish Christmas poem blessings, if you would like to. 

Here is the text of it: 

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be 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.

The Irish Blessing in Irish 

The Irish Blessing is also popular in the Irish language. This is the Irish version of the blessing:

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.  

Related Article: Prayer Blessings from Ireland

Christmas Blessings In Irish

When it comes to Irish Christmas greetings, many people want to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Irish.

Here is a simple guide to Irish Gaelic Christmas blessings. 

If you want to wish one single person a Merry Christmas, you should use the phrase:

Nollaig shona duit
This can be pronounced “null-ig hun-na gwitch”

When you want to wish more than one person a Merry Christmas, you must use the plural form. 

This is as follows: 

Nollaig shona daoibh
The pronunciation sounds like this “null-ig hun-na djeev”

To wish someone a Prosperous and Happy Christmas to you”, you can say the following when wishing the greeting to one person: 

Nollaig Faoi Shéan is Faoi Shonas Duit

This is how to say the same phrase to multiple people: 

Nollaig Faoi Shéan is Faoi Shonas Daoibh

Related Article: Find our how to wish someone a Happy Birthday in the Irish language here.

Irish Christmas Proverbs

Irish proverbs are called seanfhocal. 

We have included the originals in Irish proverbs for Christmas, as well as the translated meaning in English. 

Seacht seachtaine ramhra ó Shamhain go Nollaig.
Seven fat weeks from Samhain to Christmas.

The ancitent Fire Festival of Samhain falls on November 1.  

The other three:

• Imbolc marks the beginning of spring
• Beltane celebrates the start of the summer (May 1)
• Lughnasadh is the start of the harvest time (August 1)

Between Samhain and Christmas time, it was traditionally a time of plenty. 

The harvest was stored and food was often in ample supply. 

This is why the proverb refers to the “fat weeks” between the celebrations. 

Ní neart go cur le chéile
There is no strength without unity. 

This Irish proverb is well suited for Christmas as it reminds us of putting aside any differences and working together. 

(These Irish Christmas words can come in handy at some family celebrations over the festivities!)

Tús maith leath na hoibre.
A good start is half the work.

These wise words are applicable to almost all types of work. 

If you are well prepared and organized, it will help you in the long run. 

How to incorporate Irish Blessings into your Christmas celebrations 

Irish Blessings can be seamlessly woven into your Christmas celebrations. Here are just a few ways you can do so:

Irish Blessings on Christmas Cards

If you plan on sending greeting cards for the holidays, then feel free to add some Christmas Irish Blessings to the cards. 

For those of you who like to make your own greeting cards, adding an Irish Christmas blessing in handwritten calligraphy is a particularly nice touch!

Seasons greetings sent via email or text can also be used to share Irish holiday blessings with friends and family. 

Irish Gift Ideas

Trying to find suitable gifts for some people at Christmas time can be quite a challenge. 

A gift with an Irish Blessing written on it can be a very thoughtful present for someone who has Irish heritage. 

There are so many different ideas to choose from!

Irish Blessings for the home on wall plaques can be hung near the main door. 

They bless the house and all the people who enter and leave the building.

For friends who love to chat together over a mug of coffee, an Irish Blessing mug could be really appropriate! (Or an Irish Tumbler for those on the go!)

Irish Christmas Toasts

Integrating Irish Blessings or Irish expressions into a toast is a lovely way to mark a special occasion.  

It is also possible to add a sprinkle of humor to the Irish Blessings Christmas toasts. 

For some more inspiration you could look at our Funny Irish Blessings post. 

Bless your little Irish heart and every other part!

If you’re enough lucky to be Irish…
You’re lucky enough!

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

Irish Traditions and Customs for Christmas 

Traditional Irish Christmas celebrations involve many well loved customs. 

(For an in depth guide to some of the favorite Irish Christmas Traditions, you can read our guide.)

Music plays an important role in many Christmas festivities in Ireland. 

Before you download an Irish Christmas Songs Playlist, check out our Irish Christmas Songs. 

We have lots of great songs from Irish artists, some of which are Christmas Songs in Irish Gaelic.

Irish Christmas Traditions for Children

For children, Christmas traditions include being allowed to stay up late to watch the annual Late Late Toy Show. 

Santa is also a big part of Christmas. 

Before Christmas, many kids pay a visit to Santa’s Grotto. 

On Christmas Eve, they leave out the obligatory milk and cookies for the special guest. 

Other traditions for kids include advent calendars, placing the Christmas star on the tree and viewing the Christmas decorations in cities. 

(If any children plan on writing to Santa Claus, the Irish postal service help Santa to deliver his replies to the children.)

Related Article: Baby Blessings from Ireland

Irish Christmas Traditions for Adults

For adults there are plenty of traditions too. 

Attending Christmas concerts and Christmas Markets are both part of the pre-Christmas activities. 

Food also plays a central role in the Christmas festivities in Ireland and needs plenty of organizing. 

Christmas cakes, christmas pudding and of course mince pies need to be prepared before the main celebration on December 25.

One old tradition would be that every member of the family helps to mix the Christmas cake and get a wish while doing so!

For anyone with a sweet tooth, Christmas in Ireland is a time of celebration! 

There are tins of biscuits and sweets, as well as selection boxes full of bars of chocolate to enjoy.

Christmas Day swims may be one of the more unusual traditions in Ireland at this time.

The traditional Wren Day celebrations take place in some areas on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day. 

This differs from place to place, but often involves a procession of people wearing straw hats. 

In the past, a wren bird was killed and paraded at the front of the procession, but this no longer takes place. 

Some of the main horseracing events in the Irish racing calendar take place at this time too. 

Irish Season’s Greetings

Irish blessings help to share goodwill and cheer during the holiday season. 

They are a simple and easy way to help celebrate this festive time together. 

Discover more Irish Blessings, as well as other interesting Irish Christmas content on this website! (We also have New Year Blessings and Irish Thanksgiving Blessings too!)

We would like to wish you and yours all the very best for the holiday season and many Irish Holiday wishes!