Top 20 Irish Thanksgiving Blessings for Loved Ones in 2024

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude and celebrate the blessings of family, friends, and abundance. With their poetic charm and heartfelt sentiments, Irish blessings add a unique depth to this holiday, reminding us of shared values and the warmth of connection. With a long history rooted in both Celtic and Christian traditions, Irish blessings for Thanksgiving bring a touch of magic, offering words of love, strength, and gratitude. This article explores the top 20 Irish Thanksgiving Blessings that you can share with your loved ones to make this holiday season even more special in 2024.

Irish Thanksgiving Blessings are poetic expressions of gratitude and good wishes, often derived from the rich tapestry of Irish culture and spirituality. These Irish blessings for Thanksgiving can be shared during meals, written on cards, or spoken aloud in gatherings, enhancing the communal spirit of Thanksgiving

Irish Thanksgiving blessings have their origins in ancient Celtic traditions, which celebrated the seasons' natural cycles and the harvest's bounty. These early blessings were deeply rooted in a sense of gratitude for the gifts provided by the earth. The Celts held a profound reverence for family and home, often expressing thanks for the well-being of loved ones and the abundance of food that nourished them. This cultural appreciation for nature and community laid the foundation for the Thanksgiving blessings that are cherished in Ireland today.

The arrival of Christianity in Ireland brought about a significant transformation in the nature of these blessings. As Christian beliefs took hold, Thanksgiving blessings began incorporating spiritual nuances, emphasizing divine protection and providence. This fusion of Celtic and Christian elements created a rich tapestry of gratitude that celebrated both the earthly and the heavenly. Over time, Irish Thanksgiving blessings evolved into a harmonious blend of these influences, infusing the celebrations with a reverence that honors tradition and spirituality.

In Ireland, Irish Thanksgiving Blessings are more than mere words; they are heartfelt expressions steeped in tradition. The Irish are known for their poetic language; blessings play a vital role in celebrations, signifying love, protection, and goodwill among family and friends.

Here are some popular and cherished Irish Thanksgiving blessings to inspire gratitude, love, and joy in your holiday gatherings:

1.  Irish Thanksgiving Blessing - An Old Irish Blessing 

“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.”

2. “Always remember to forget

The things that made you sad.

But never forget to remember

The things that made you glad.”

3.  Irish Thanksgiving blessing - 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!"

4. " May God be with you and bless you,

May you see your children’s children,

May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings."

5. “Here’s to you and yours, And to mine and ours.

And if mine and ours, Ever come across to you and yours,

I hope you and yours will do, As much for mine and ours

As mine and ours have done, For you and yours“.

6. " An old Irish recipe longevity:

Leave the table hungry.

Leave the bed sleepy.

Leave the bar thirsty."

7.  Irish Thanksgiving Blessing - 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.

May your home be filled with laughter. May your pockets be filled with gold

And may you have all the happiness, Your Irish heart can hold.

May your blessings outnumber, The Shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you, Wherever you may go.

May luck be a friend to you, And be with ye in all your days,

And may trouble be to you, A stranger, now and always.”

8. " May your pockets be heavy

And your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you

Each morning and night."

9. “May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load,

may the mist of Irish magic shorten every road,

may you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed,

and may all your friends remember all the favours you are owed.”

10. " May the love and protection

Saint Patrick can give

Be yours in abundance

As long as you live."

11. “May you have love that never ends,

lots of money, and lots of friends.

Health be yours, whatever you do,

and may God send many blessings to you“.

12.  Irish Thanksgiving Blessing - 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 to each prayer."

13. “May your heart be warm and happy

With the lilt of Irish laughter

Every day in every way

And forever and ever after.”

14. " 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."

15. “Bless this house, O’ Lord we pray, make it safe by night and day;

Bless these walls, so firm and stout keep want and trouble out:

Bless the roof and chimney tall, let thy peace lie over all.”

16.  Irish Thanksgiving Blessing - 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!"

17. " Good times, good friends,

Good health to you

And the luck of the Irish in all that you do."

18. “May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”

19. Irish Thanksgiving blessing - 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."

20. “May these walls be filled with laughter.

May it reach from floor to rafter.

May the roof keep out the rain, May sunshine warm each windowpane.

And may the door be open wide to let the good Lord’s love inside.”

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Incorporating these blessings into your Thanksgiving celebration can enhance the experience for you and your loved ones. Here are some ways to do so:

•  At the Dinner Table: Offer Irish Thanksgiving Day blessings before the meal to set a grateful tone for the gathering.

•  Greeting Cards:  Write a blessing in Thanksgiving cards for friends and family to express your gratitude and love.

•  Toast or Speech:  Include a blessing in your  Irish Thanksgiving toast  during the meal, creating a heartfelt connection among guests.

•  Decor: Print a favorite blessing on decorative cards and place them around the dining area for everyone to admire.

🚀 Explore our collection of Christmas Ornaments to make your home more bright and wonderful this coming Christmas holiday!

Incorporating Irish Thanksgiving blessings into Thanksgiving adds a heartfelt touch to the holiday, connecting us to tradition and to each other. By embracing these blessings, we celebrate not only our loved ones but also the enduring spirit of gratitude and unity.