St.Patrick's Day 2018: Quotes, Irish Sayings for the Holiday

Anyone planning to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year is bound to need an Instagram caption or a greeting for their friends. Luckily, there are plenty of traditional sayings and quotes about Ireland, the country, its people and its culture.

The holiday has been celebrated for over 1,000 years in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland on the anniversary of his death. It was originally a fairly religious holiday that involved attending church and feasting for most. The tradition of a parade was not introduced until the 1700s.

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A spectator at the St.Patrick's Day parade in New York City on March 17, 2017. Jewel Samada/Getty Images

Irish sayings for St. Patrick's Day:

"Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be." - St. Patrick

"Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it." - Pope John Paul II

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand." - Irish blessing

"We may have bad weather in Ireland, but the sun shines in the hearts of the people and that keeps us all warm." - Marianne Williamson

"A good friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have." - Irish Proverb

"Yeah, it's St. Paddy's Day. Everyone's Irish tonight." - Norman Reedus said while playing Murphy MacManus in the movie The Boondock Saints.

"The list of Irish saints is past counting; but in it all no other figure is so human, friendly, and lovable as St. Patrick." - Stephen Gwynn

"The heart of an Irishman is nothing but his imagination." - George Bernard Shaw

"Everyone is wise until he speaks." - Irish Proverb

Uncommon Knowledge

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About the writer


Nina was a breaking news reporter. She previously worked at Business Insider, The Boston Globe, and Boston.com.

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