Irish Blessings for New Year 2024: Luck, Health & Prosperity

New Year is associated with new beginnings and fresh starts. 

Irish Blessings for New Year are a great way to get the year off to a great start with friends, family and colleagues. 

We can often feel a bit of writer’s block when trying to find some thoughtful words, but don’t worry.

This is where you will find some great inspiration for some meaningful Irish wishes for New Year. 

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What are Irish Blessings? 

Irish Blessings are messages with good intention written as short sentences, phrases, poems or even prayers.

They generally express a simple message of trying to make the most of the situation at hand.

Some convey a solemn meaning, but often there is lightheartedness and humor also included. 

The Irish wit used in these blessings include wordplays and wisdom to convey the intention. 

When to use Irish Blessings?

The Irish have developed blessings for pretty much every occasion. 

One of the most common types of blessings used today are the Irish birthday blessings. 

There are of course many others to mark other major events in a person’s life as well. 

These include traditional wedding blessings, as well as those for anniversaries, moving house and the arrival of a new baby. 

Irish Blessings can be particularly suitable to mark changes in one’s life. 

The start of a new year is a good example of this. 

How do Irish people celebrate New Year?

New Year, as well as Christmas, is a time of celebration in Ireland. 

Irish people typically celebrate Christmas with family and enjoy many Irish Christmas traditions.

Christmas is usually one of the biggest get togethers of the year for many families. 

Grown up offspring travel home to visit their parents for a few days in December, especially if they are living abroad. 

Related Article: Blessings for Christmas from Ireland

Irish New Year traditions include meeting friends usually in a pub or similar setting. 

It might be one of the few times a year when people can catch up with old friends and classmates.

This is particularly true of the younger generations.

In the bigger cities, there are often public Irish New Years festivities, such as fireworks displays. 

(A special license is required in Ireland to import, own or use fireworks.)

History and Origins of Irish Blessings 

Superstition was very prevalent in the Celtic culture that developed in Ireland. 

It was believed that a person had the power to wish good or bad luck on someone else by what they said. 

Sometimes it was thought that giving someone a strange look was enough to bring bad luck on a family. This was known as giving someone the evil eye. 

Sharing Blessings is a very old Irish tradition of wishing people well that dates back centuries. 

In fact, the Irish have long celebrated the changing seasons of the year with fire festivals. 

Imbolc marks the start of spring (February 1). 

The start of summer (May 1) is the Beltane Festival. 

Harvest season is marked by the celebration of Lughnassadh (August 1).

Samhain (November 1) marks the beginning of winter and it is the celebration of the dead.

There is also some debate as to the Irish new year date in Celtic times. Some scholars have suggested that Samhain was the Celtic New Year. 

Christianity brought a new aspect to Irish Blessings and many blessings include some reference to God.

Blessings in Irish Culture

Blessings are ingrained in Irish culture. 

There are Irish Blessings for luck, Irish Blessings for happiness and of course Irish Blessings for wealth too!

They often form part of the toasts at bigger social events such as weddings, christenings and retirement events. There are also many different funeral blessings.

Many people also choose to write them on greeting cards to mark occasions as well.

The tradition of sharing Irish Blessings spread to many areas of the world where Irish immigrants settled.

As well as bringing their culture and Irish heritage, they also brought their traditions including sharing blessings.

Irish Blessings are particularly popular at Christmas time celebrations, as well as New Year and St. Patrick’s Day.

As the meanings of the blessings are often broad, they are applicable to many walks of life. 

Many people who celebrate Irish American heritage, for example, like to share these blessings. 

However, you do not need to have a connection to the Irish to use Irish Blessings for the New Year. 

It is more important that the intention, words and tone of the Irish Blessings or sayings suit the circumstances. 

Popular New Year’s Blessings in Ireland 

For many, a new year can mean the start of a new chapter. Who hasn’t started a new year without a new year’s resolution at some point?!

Irish New Year blessings focus on good health, good luck and happiness for the coming year and beyond. 

Prosperity is another common theme that is also present in many traditional Irish Sayings and Irish Blessings used at this time.

Traditional Irish Blessings

If you are looking for a great way to concisely wish someone all the best for the year ahead, a suitable Irish Blessing or Irish New Year saying might be what you need.  

Here are some of the common Irish greetings for New Year that are traditionally used for family and faithful friends. 

They are a great way to concisely wish someone all the best for the year ahead. 

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

May your joys be as bright as the morning, 
And your sorrows merely be shadows,
That fade in the sunlight of love.

May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.

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

May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.

May the love and protection
Saint Patrick can give
Be yours in abundance
As long as you live.

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.

May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load.

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.

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

May the Lord keep you in His hand,
And never close His fist too tight.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

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

May strong arms hold you,
Caring hearts tend you,
And may love await you at every step.

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

May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

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

May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road,
And may your friends remember the favors you are owed.

The Irish Blessing or May the Road Rise to Meet You

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.

This is The Irish Blessing in its original Irish language form. 

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.  

Funny Irish Blessings for New Year

If you need an Irish saying for New Year with a funny twist, these might be right for you!

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

​​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. 

As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never face the wrong way!

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

Irish Quote about New Beginnings 

The following quote was used by the famous Irish writer Samuel Beckett. 

Try again. Fail again. Fail better. 

In order to succeed, we typically need to fail first. Things don’t often go right the first time around. 

Beckett was certainly a believer of this and encountered many failures throughout the course of his life.

This quote was a mantra of Becketts throughout much of his life. 

While it is not one of the traditional Irish New Year quotes, it can be useful to keep in mind at the beginning of a year. 

Related Article: Famous Quotes from James Joyce

How to share an Irish blessing with loved ones 

There are many simple ways that you can share your blessings with those who you care about. 

Here are some of our favorite ideas: 

Greeting Cards

Irish Blessings can be shared on greeting cards. In many cases, this is perfectly appropriate to share a blessing with a loved one. 

It is easy to forget the impact that a card sent through the mail can have. 

People often really appreciate the additional effort that is required to send a card, rather than just an email or short text message. 

For an extra personalized greeting, you could also make the card yourself.

(If you are unable to send a card, then blessings can of course also be sent in emails and other forms of digital communications as well!) 

Related Article: Irish Blessings for Babys

Irish Blessing Gifts

You could also share an Irish Blessing in the form of a gift. 

There are many different thoughtful tokens available with Irish Blessings inscribed on them. 

Wall plaques with Irish Blessings are typically used to bless houses and all those who dwell in them. 

Some of them integrate Celtic designs such as traditional Celtic symbols or Celtic Knot designs. 

Irish New Year Toasts and Irish Proverbs for New Year

Irish toasts with a cold beer, or even an Irish Stout, might be another fitting way to share a blessing at a party. 

This is perfect if you plan to have a get together to mark the start of the new year with food, drinks, family and friends.

It is best to opt for the shorter blessings if you plan on using them as a toast. 

New Year Irish Toast examples:

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow 
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Here’s to a long life and a merry one!

Irish proverb New Year Examples: 

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

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

Create your own Irish New Years Blessing

There is no reason why you cannot try to create your own Happy New Year Irish Blessing or Irish New Year poem. 

Take some inspiration from the examples of Irish New Year wishes in this article and apply your own creativity. 

Adding your own personal touch will make the meaning of your blessing even more special for the intended person.

How to add an Irish touch to your New Year’s Eve party 

If you plan on having a New Year’s Eve party or celebration, you could always add a little Irish flare with some Irish Blessings. 

The decorations could be embellished with some Irish Blessings written in handwritten calligraphy and hung up on the walls. 

Each guest could also receive a personalized Irish Blessing from the host. 

Or you could always celebrate with some traditional Irish recipes, like Irish stew. (Or start January 1 with a Traditional Irish Breakfast!)

Don’t forget to include some Irish music in the background!

The Benefits of Reciting an Irish Blessing on New Year’s Day 

There is a lot to be said about the power of positive thinking. 

Irish Blessings often focus on trying to make the most out of a situation regardless of how tough it might first seem.

Sometimes even some humor and witty blessings can help change a perspective. 

Positive affirmations can help to lighten the load of the burden and assist people with their challenges. 

A suitable Irish blessing for the New Year will show someone that you care for them. 

You never know, a simple act of kindness might help to improve their well being or even some self esteem.  

Irish Blessings New Year FAQ

How do you say happy new year in Irish?

Many people would like to send Irish Happy New Year greetings in the Irish language. 

If you want to wish a single person Happy New Year you need to wish them: 

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!

When you want to wish multiple people a Happy New Year, then the phrase you need is this one: 

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh!

Is it appropriate to use The Irish Blessing for New Year?

The Irish Blessing is probably one of the most famous of all Irish Blessings. 

It is regularly used at weddings, funerals and farewells. 

The meaning behind the blessing is to wish someone well on the journey ahead. 

A new year is a journey into the unknown. 

It is therefore highly suitable as one of the New Year Blessings Irish people use to wish someone well at the start of the year. 

God bless you now and always with the gift of Irish cheer. 
God give to you a happy heart and keep you through the year!

We would like to wish you and yours all the very best for the coming year ahead!