Irish Blessings & Prayers

Irish words of encouragement...

Irish Marriage Blessing

May God be with you and bless you. May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A Gaelic Christening Blessing

Dearest Father in Heaven, Bless this child and bless this day Of new beginnings. Smile upon this child And surround this child, Lord, With the soft mantle of your love. Teach this child to follow in your footsteps, And to live life in the ways of Love, faith, hope and charity.

A Wish for a Friend

Wishing you a rainbow For sunlight after showers— Miles and miles of Irish smiles For golden happy hours— Shamrocks at your doorway For luck and laughter too, And a host of friends that never ends Each day your whole life through!

An Irish Prayer

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.

An Old Cradle Song

Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber, All through the night Guardian angels God will lend thee, All through the night Soft and drowsy hours are creeping, Hill and vale in slumber sleeping, Mother dear her watch is keeping, All through the night God is here, you'll not be lonely, All through the night 'Tis not I who guards thee only, All through the night Night's dark shades will soon be over, Still my watchful care shall hover, God with me His watch is keeping, All through the night

Remembered Joy

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life's been full, I've savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief— Don't shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

An Old Celtic Blessing

May the blessing of light be on you— light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there... I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow... I am the diamond glints on snow... I am the sunlight on ripened grain... I am the gentle autumn rain. When you waken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of gentle birds in circling flight... I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry— I am not there... I did not die...

Bless This House

Bless this house, o Lord, we pray. Make it safe by night and day. Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out. Bless the roof and chimney tall, Let thy peace lie over all. Bless the doors that they may prove Ever open to joy and love. Bless the windows shining bright, Letting in God's heavenly light. Bless the hearth a-blazing there, With smoke ascending like a prayer. Bless the people here within... Keep them pure and free from sin. Bless us all, that one day, we May be fit, O lord, to dwell with Thee.

In Time of Sorrow...

May you see God's light on the path ahead When the road you walk is dark. May you always hear, Even in your hour of sorrow, The gentle singing of the lark. When times are hard may hardness Never turn your heart to stone, May you always remember when the shadows fall— You do not walk alone.

A Blessing for Fair Day

God be with them now, and bring them home with their fair share of stock or money.

From Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Christ be 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 where I lie Christ where I sit Christ where I arise Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me Christ in every eye that sees me Christ in every ear that hears me Salvation is of the Lord.

Said in the morning when rising...

Christ be with me, be after me, be before me, and be at my right and left hand. May everything I do be for Christ.

Said when dressing...

Lord, clothe me with the robes of innocence.

Said during thunder and lightning...

O Lord, be between us and harm and protect us from the harm of the world.

An Old Irish Blessing

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 peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!