We Irish are nothing if not poets.
Here is a selection of the best Irish poems and songs that show off Ireland's spectacular way with words and fill us with pride in being Irish.
The love of Saint Patrick
May the love of St. Patrick,
find a place in your heart,
A love of a country,
a land set apart,
A love of a people,
so proud and so true,
and lastly the love,
that I feel now for you.
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To the land of his master's a shepherd boy came,
But to conquer their hearts not to seek for his fame,
And now his blessed name is known all the worldwide,
And the glory of Patrick is Ireland's best pride.
Wishing you always
Wishing you always—
Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain
And tea beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you
And all that your heart might desire!
St. Patrick's Day verse
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and the road downhill all the way to your door.
An Irish blessing
May these rich blessings be your due—
A wealth of friendships, old and new,
Some service rendered, some solace given,
And gentle peace with God and Heaven.
May you always have...
May you always have...
enough luck to make you smile,
enough trials to keep you strong,
enough of all life's treasures
to keep you truly happy.
Saint Patrick was a gentleman
(As sung by the Wolfe Tones on the album 'Spirit Of The Nation.')
Saint Patrick was a gentleman, he came from decent people
In Dublin town, he built a church and on it put a steeple
His father was a Callaghan, his mother was a Brady
His auntie an O'Shaughnessy, his uncle an' O'Grady
Chorus: Then here's to bold St. Paddy's fist, he was a saint so clever
He gave the snakes and toads a twist and banished them forever.
There's not a mile in Eireann's isle where the dirty vermin musters
Where'er he put his dear forefoot, he murdered them in clusters
The toads went hop, the frogs went pop, slapdash into the water
And beasts committed suicide to save themselves from slaughter.
Chorus
The Wicklow hills are very high and so is the hill of Howth, sir
'Twas on the top of this high hill Saint Patrick preached his sermons
He drove the frogs into the bogs and banished all the vermins
And there's a hill much bigger still, much higher than them both, sir.
Chorus
No wonder that those Irish lads should be so gay and frisky
For sure Saint Pat, he taught them that, as well as making whiskey
No wonder that the saint himself should understand distilling
His mother kept a shebeen shop in the town of Enniskillen.
Do you have a favorite Irish poet or song that always comes to mind on St. Patrick's Day? Let us know in the comments section below!
* Originally published in March 2010. Updated in March 2024.
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