St. Patrick’s Day is today, which of course means folks have been wearing green since last Saturday and will continue waving their shamrocked accessories until the end of next weekend. After our Dry Irish Stout, one of our favorite parts of St. Patrick’s Day are the traditional Irish toasts that emerge to unite barrooms and parties in rhymes and well-wishes. We’ve gathered some of our favorites below, along with a helpful guide on when to use them. Good luck, and Erin go Bragh!
Toast: Beannachtam na Feile Padraig! (Irish Gaelic for “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”)
Use it when: It’s the first toast of the day, and you’re showing off your pronunciation; your Irish grandmother is visiting with homemade soda bread and to go out for holiday breakfast; you are accidentally designated Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Toast: My friends are the best friends
Loyal, willing and able.
Now, let’s get to drinking;
All glasses off the table!
Use it when: You’ve generously bought a round for your best friends, and that one guy Brian sitting next to you at the bar; your Irish grandmother is making fun of you for not having your coffee “Irish”; you are required to give a speech as Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Toast: We drink to your coffin. May it be built from the wood of a hundred year old oak tree that I shall plant tomorrow.
Use it when: You and your friends are toasting your new buddy Brian, who’s just such a good guy, y’know?; your Irish grandmother arm wrestles the bartender for a free round; you begin to grow tired of being the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Toast: Sláinte! (Irish Gaelic for “Health!” or “Cheers!”)
Use it when: You are trying to politely cut off Brian’s rambling, nonsensical toast; your Irish grandmother beats you at darts for the third time in a row; you are trying to remember another dignitary’s name as they shake your hand, because everyone wants to meet the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, even when you have to go to the bathroom.
Toast: Póg mo thóin! (Irish Gaelic for “Kiss my ass!”)
Use it when: You’ve been kicked out of the bar after Brian tried to start a “donnybrook”; your Irish grandmother ditches you at the bar for backstage passes to Flogging Molly with her new friends; you’re trying to find a way to go home and stop pretending that you’re the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Happy toasting and travel safe!