There are many Irish Blessings to suit all occasions.
One thing that connects many Irish Blessings is humor.
Funny Irish Blessings can be used in a wide range of circumstances.
This article will give you plenty of inspiration and some background information about these humorous Blessings.
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Table of Contents
What are Irish Blessings?
Irish Blessings are short phrases or poems that wish to share good wishes.
Some are aimed at marking special events such as wedding blessings, the birth of a child or moving into a new house.
Others focus on the bonds of love and friendship for example.
Sometimes blessings have a serious tone, while others are humorous, even cheeky and filled with Irish wit.
To some people, Irish wit may seem a little unusual.
It is playful and often takes strange, unpredictable twists and turns. Occasionally the humor is a little dark.
In general, Irish humor is strongly based on the healthy ability to laugh at oneself.
It reminds you to lighten up and not to take yourself, or the world too seriously.
This jovial approach is very evident in the funny Irish Blessings.
What is Irish humor?
The Irish are often known for their storytelling ability. This is also seen in their sense of humor.
Irish humor typically focuses on wordplays and wit. These Irish jokes are often short and usually there are rapid retorts.
Hilarious Irish one liners can leave people reeling in laughter.
Much of Irish humor also includes a playful approach to self-depreciation.
Being able to laugh at oneself and one’s own actions is an important aspect of Irish culture.
Most Irish people understand that they will also be on the receiving end at some stage!
Finding humor in joyous events and circumstances is a somewhat easy task. However, bringing humor to other situations can be tricky.
Funny Irish quotes, blessings and sayings can also help to lift the mood of such circumstances.
Irish Blessings Funny Examples
We have put together some of our favorite Irish Blessings to make you laugh.
(Some of the blessings need a little more explanation or clarification. We have added these to the FAQ section at the end of the post.)
Funny Irish Blessings about Life
As you slide down the banisters of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way.
May misfortune follow you the rest of your life,
But never catch up.
May you get all your wishes but one,
So you always have something to strive for!
May the Lord keep you in His hand,
And never close His fist too tight.
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
May the most you wish for be the least you get.
May the doctor never earn a pound out of you.
Funny Irish Blessings about Death
While death is often a solemn event, sometimes well timed humor can also be appropriate.
May your coffin be made of finest wood
from a 100-year-old tree,
that I’ll go plant tomorrow!
May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.
May the good Lord take a liking to you,
But not too soon.
Funny Irish Blessings for Weddings
Wedding speeches and toasts can also be livened up with some inspiration from Irish Blessings for Weddings.
May you look back fifty years from now
and agree that today
was the worst day of your married life.
The only difference between an Irish wedding
and an Irish wake is one less drunk.
May your troubles
be as few and as far apart
as my Grandmother’s teeth.
Funny Irish Blessings Friendship
Adding some extra humor to a friendship can help to strengthen the bonds even further.
Remind you friends how valued they are with one of these funny Irish blessings.
They are perfect to add to birthday cards or the likes.
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.
Here’s to those who wish us well,
As for the rest, they can go to Hell!
A friend’s eye is a good mirror.
May the roof above us never fall in,
and may the friends gathered below never fall out.
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
Here’s to me and here’s to you,
And here’s to love and laughter.
I’ll be true as long as you
But not a single second after!
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.
Funny Irish Blessings for Good Luck
May luck be your friend in whatever you do
And may trouble always be a stranger to you.
If you’re enough lucky to be Irish…
You’re lucky enough!
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue each morning and night.
Funny Irish Blessings for Saint Patrick’s Day
May the luck of the Irish possess you.
May the devil fly off with your worries.
May God bless you forever and ever.
May the leprechauns dance over your bed
and bring you sweet dreams.
How to incorporate funny Irish Blessings into your Life
There are plenty of opportunities to slip some Irish humor and craic (fun) into your daily life and the lives of those close to you!
Irish Blessings as Entertaining Greetings
Funny Irish Blessings can be used to brighten up the mood under many circumstances.
Perhaps you could share a blessing with a friend or include one in a card or message?
Irish Blessings as Amusing Gifts
Some of these humorous Irish Blessings may have some personal meaning for you and a loved one.
If this is the case, it might be suitable to get the blessing inscribed on a gift, such as a plaque, keyring or mug.
Each time the blessing is read, it can bring a smile and a memory to your loved one!
Irish Blessings as Funny Toasts
One of these blessings may be one of the funny Irish toasts you are looking for.
In Ireland when drinks are shared, it is common to say an entertaining toast. This is especially true if an event is being marked.
These toasts can be used at weddings, graduations, family gatherings and even funerals.
Just be sure that you know that the audience will appreciate the comic humor!
FAQ Irish Blessings Explained
This section includes an unusual collection of Irish blessings, Irish sayings and Irish proverbs.
Some may catch you a little by surprise with their humor.
Some of these blessings are self explanatory, while others need a little more thought or clarification.
The Irish Blessing
May the road rise 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.
What is is behind “May the road rise to meet you” meaning?
This is the first line in The Irish Blessing, or Irish prayer, as it is sometimes known.
The Irish Blessing is suitable for a range of circumstances from weddings to farewells and funerals.
Many people find the first line humorous and imagine a road rising to meet them.
In fact, it wishes the person a safe and smooth journey, whatever that may be.
The second line of the blessing is “May the wind always be at your back”.
This reiterates the wish that may your journey or endeavor be an easy one and that may you be supported.
May You be in Heaven….
May you be in Heaven,
a full half hour
before the devil knows you’re dead.
What does the phrase “May you be in Heaven before the devil knows” mean?
This blessing wishes the person a peaceful and painless death.
It hopes that the person will settle into the start of their afterlife before any outside forces could tempt them away or do them harm.
Funny Irish Blessings Explained
If someone you know has achieved something great, you could always tell them:
More power to your elbow!
This roughly translated into well done for your good efforts and hard work.
Put silk on a goat and it is still a goat.
(Cuir síoda ar ghabhar agus is gabhar i gcónaí é.)
This is one of the funny phrases in Irish that might leave you scratching your head in wonder.
The meaning of this blessing is that you cannot change who you really are, regardless of how you appear.
Here’s to the health of your enemies’ enemies.
As blessings go, this is a strange one! It hopes that your enemies will be kept in line by their own enemies.
May you have the health to wear it.
Regardless of your looks, clothes and appearance, good health is of primary importance. This is reiterated in this Irish Blessing.
You’ve got to do your own growing,
No matter how tall your grandfather was.
This is a great blessing to remind us that we must all step up to the challenges in our lives.
We cannot always depend on the experience and knowledge of others to get us through life.
Bless your little Irish heart and every other part.
This short blessing wishes someone well in every way.
May the cat eat you
and the devil eat the cat.
As blessings this is more of a curse. First it wishes you one misfortune, followed by an even worse one.
Irish Sayings and Blessings
Discover lots more applicable Irish blessings on our website.
Add to any birthday celebration with a heartfelt Irish Birthday blessing or toast.
Or show off your Irish language skills with a Happy Birthday in Irish greeting!
