Irish Toasts
What is it that makes Irish toasts so unforgettable? Most of the time, it is the little bit of blarney that creeps into each one that makes it so special. And you don't need to be Irish to appreciate the Irish toasts, for even being not Irish, one can really appreciate the Irish sense of humor and their sentimentality.
When the champagne begins to flow at a wedding, there is nothing more fun and enjoyable for everyone involved than an Irish toast. There are so many people wanting to toast the bride and groom, you've got to keep the bubbly flowing readily and steadily because there's always just one more reason to chug one down.
Weddings are big occasions for the Irish. They are a very sentimental people and a wedding is filled with smiles and hankies, songs and Irish toasts. The lilt of the Celtic verses is in the air, and even though it is not understandable to many, it is still part of the wedding traditions and the Irish toasts.
Much like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon, the old Celtic ways and traditions are not dying out, just growing stronger and metamorphosing into something else; and this is what makes Irish toasts something that should be treasured.
Irish toasts most often start with the phrase “Sl”inte”, pronounced as Slaw-in-tche, meaning “good health”. The “good” part of the phrase is implied, with the “Sl”inte”meaning just “health”.
Here's a few examples of good Irish toasts: “Sl'inte”, “Sl”inte agus saol agat” meaning “Good health and long life to you”. And then another would be: “Sl”inte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mn” go deo”.............translation:........”Health to the men, and may the women live forever!”
One of the more common Irish toasts heard at many social gatherings is: “May your grass always be green, may your skies forever blue, May God bless the Irish, and may God bless you!” And finally: “May the luck of the Irish possess you, May the devil fly off with your worries, and May God bless you forever and ever.”
There are other good Irish toasts and if the need arises you should be able to find a book containing these. Otherwise for now, “May the luck of the Irish posses you, may the devil fly off with your worries, and may God bless you forever and ever.”