I’m Kayla, and I have a soft spot for Irish blessings. I grew up with them at the door, at the table, and in cards. They feel both cozy and brave. So I’ve tested a few things you can buy that bring those words into real life. Some were great. Some were just okay. Here’s what happened.
If you’d like a deeper dive into the sayings that made my personal shortlist, you can read my fuller take on the Irish blessings I actually use right here.
The Little Green Book I Grab All the Time
Peter Pauper Press makes a tiny hardcover called “Irish Blessings.” Mine is dark green with gold on the cover. There’s a ribbon, which sounds small, but it helps.
How I use it:
- I slip short lines into lunch notes.
- I read one before bed when my brain won’t slow down.
- I copy one onto gift tags for housewarmings.
Real lines I’ve used:
- “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
- “May the roof above us never fall in, and those gathered beneath it never fall out.”
- “May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.”
What I love:
- It’s small and giftable.
- The mix is sweet: a few prayers, a few funny toasts.
- The pages feel nice. No ink bleed when I jot notes.
What bugs me:
- The font is tiny. My mom needs her readers.
- Some lines repeat ideas. If you read a lot, you’ll spot that.
- A few toasts lean on drinking jokes. Not my thing for kids.
You know what? I still reach for it. It lives on my kitchen shelf next to the tea. For readers interested in the "Irish Blessings" book by Peter Pauper Press, you can find more details here.
Boxed Cards That Don’t Feel Cheesy
I bought a Hallmark boxed set of Irish blessing cards last spring. Twelve cards, four designs, cream envelopes with a soft gold lining. The shamrocks are embossed, so they feel a bit fancy.
Real moments:
- Wedding note: I wrote, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.”
- Sympathy card for a neighbor: “May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
- New baby: I used, “May love and laughter light your days,” and drew a tiny rainbow.
What I love:
- The paper is thick. My gel pen didn’t smear.
- The art feels warm, not loud.
- The inside text leaves a little space for a personal line.
What bugs me:
- Some designs include faith language. That’s fine for some folks, not all.
- Two cards repeat the same blessing. I wish there was more variety.
- Pricey for a box. I still buy them during sales.
I keep two in my bag now. You never know when someone needs a lift.
A Print in My Kitchen That Gets Read Out Loud
I picked up an Ulster Weavers tea towel with “May the road rise to meet you” on it. It hangs on my oven door, more for reading than drying, if we’re honest.
Pros:
- The green holds up after many washes.
- The fabric is sturdy. No saggy corners yet.
- Friends read it while the soup simmers, and it starts nice chats.
Cons:
- The script is a bit curly. Not easy from far away.
- It came folded with deep creases. Steam helped, but still.
- The hanging loop frayed after a year. I stitched it back.
It’s simple. It makes the room feel kind. For those looking to purchase the Ulster Weavers tea towel featuring the "May the road rise to meet you" blessing, more information is available here.
A Deeper Book I Reach For When Life Feels Big
I also read “To Bless the Space Between Us” by John O’Donohue. It’s not a gift book. It’s richer and slow. I’ve used pieces for graduations and healing. It’s not “cute,” and that’s the point. If you want more depth, this one lands.
Pros:
- Thoughtful, steady, and kind.
- Good for milestones or grief.
- I feel less alone after a few pages.
Cons:
- The language is more dense than a quick card line.
- Not all pieces sound “Irish” in the classic way.
- It’s a book you sit with, not skim.
I don’t quote long parts in notes. I read a bit, then write in my own words.
Little Scenes From Real Life
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St. Patrick’s Day toast at my cousin’s place in Southie: I held up a seltzer and said, “May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead.” Everyone laughed, then we ate too much brown bread.
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Housewarming for friends with a leaky roof story: I wrote, “May your home be warm and your roof be tight, and may good friends gather here each night.” That one stuck to their fridge for months.
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Funeral wake for a neighbor’s dad: I kept it simple. “May the sun shine warm upon his face, and may God hold him in the palm of His hand.” We stood quiet. It fit the room.
Quick Tips That Help
- Keep it short when emotions run high.
- Add a personal line after the blessing. One sentence is enough.
- Skip the drinking jokes for kids or formal events.
- Write the blessing by hand. It feels more human.
- If you’re not sure about faith words, pick a non-religious line.
Another easy way to personalize a note is to tuck in a gentle Irish term of endearment right before or after the blessing—you’ll be surprised how naturally they fit.
Bonus idea: if you want to try a blessing in the wild, pull up a stool at Brocach Irish Pub where the friendly crowd will nod along before you’ve even finished your toast.
Feeling inspired to meet new people while your spirits are high? An easy-going dating platform like plancul.app can pair those freshly learned blessings with a real conversation partner in your area—handy when you’d prefer technology to handle the introductions so you can focus on the charm of the moment. Prefer to offer a “May the road rise up to meet you” in person rather than online? Folks in Chicagoland’s western suburbs can swing by a local meet-up through Speed Dating Lombard where the rotating five-minute chats and relaxed atmosphere make it painless to see if the right spark—and maybe the right blessing—clicks.
If quirky creativity intrigues you, you might also enjoy this look at the everyday Irish inventions I already use—sometimes without knowing that make life run a little smoother.
So, Should You Get These?
- The little green Peter Pauper book? Yes. It’s my go-to.
- The Hallmark boxed cards? Yes, with a note on variety and faith tone.
- The Ulster Weavers tea towel? Cute and sturdy, even with fussy creases.
- John O’Donohue’s book? Keep it for deep days and big moments.
Irish blessings aren’t magic. But they meet you where you are. Soft words. Strong roots. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
—Kayla Sox