all images are courtesy of Kristen. N. Fox at www.artoffoxvox.com
Slainte go saol agat,
(Slancha ga sheyl agat)
Bean ar do mhian agat.
(Ban ir da vian agat)
Leanbh gach blian agat,
(Lanov gach bleean agat)
is solas na bhflaitheas tareis antsail seo agat.
(Iss solas na vlahas tareesh antshall sha agat.)
Very Celtic. But what does it mean?
Health in life to you,
A wife of your choice to you,
Land without rent to you,
And the light of heaven after this world for you.
Let's look at something a bit longer ....
Go raibh tú daibhir i mí-áidh
Agus saibhir i mbeannachtaí
Go mall ag déanamh namhaid, go luath a déanamh carad,
Ach saibhir nó daibhir, go mall nó go luath,
Nach raibh ach áthas agat
Ón lá seo amach.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
Nice. This next one is a very popular toast in Ireland ---
Fad saol agat, gob fliuch, agus bás in Eirinn.
"Long life to you, a wet mouth, and death in Ireland."
The idea of dying away from home is unthinkable. We do, anyway.
Here's another:
Má dhéanann tu séitéireacht, go ndéana tú séitéireacht ar an mbás,
Má ghoideann tú, go ngoide tú croí mná;
Má throideann tú, go dtroide tú i leith do bhráthar,
Agus má ólann tú, go n-óla tú liom féin.
If you cheat, may you cheat death.
If you steal, may you steal a woman's heart.
If you fight, may you fight for a brother.
And if you drink, may you drink with me.
and another ....
Go bhfana í ngrá linn,
Iad siúd atá í ngrá linn.
Iad siúd nach bhfuil,
Go gcasa Dia a gcroíthe.
Agus muna gcasann Sé a gcroíthe
Go gcasa Sé caol na coise acu
Go n-aithneoimid iad as a mbacadaíl.
May those who love us,
Love us.
And those who do not love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.
So if you break your leg or twist an ankle, be aware of those strange looks from your Irish neighbours.
Back in the pub --
Go raibh do ghloine lán go deo.
Go raibh láidir go breá
an dion thar do cheann.
Go raibh tú í Neamh,
leathúair os comhair
a bhfuil a fhíos ag an diabhal
atá tú bás.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head.
be always strong.
May you be in heaven
a half hour before
the devil knows you're dead.
And, finally, this is the one we say to our friends and family, particularly when we don't have many chances to meet and wonder when the next opportunity will arise.
Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo aris!
(Go mary me byo ar anam sha areesh)
"May we be alive (and together) at this time next year."
