Raise a glass anywhere in Ireland – at a wedding, a christening, a birthday or a quiet pint on a Friday – and you will hear one word above all others: sláinte. It is probably the best-known Irish word in the world, and it carries a lovely, simple wish.
From our studio in Co. Limerick, here is our guide to the classic Irish toasts: what they mean, how to say them and how to reply. Whether you are planning a wedding speech, hosting a family dinner or just want to get it right the next time the glasses go up, you will find something here.
Sláinte – health
Say it: SLAWN-cha.
Sláinte literally means "health". When you raise your glass and say it, you are wishing good health to everyone at the table. It works with any drink – a pint, a glass of wine, a cup of tea or a glass of orange – and for any occasion.
It is worth remembering that the toast is not really about the drink at all. It is about the people. Good health is one of the oldest and simplest wishes there is, and in Ireland it is offered freely, to old friends and new acquaintances alike.
If you want the word on the wall, the Sláinte olive green word print is a simple, modern choice.
Sláinte beyond the pub
You do not need a drink in your hand to use the word. In Irish, sláinte is simply health, so you will see it in everyday places too – on signs for health services and in ordinary conversation about how someone is keeping. When you toast with it, you are borrowing an everyday word and turning it into a small blessing for the people around you.
Variations on sláinte
Sláinte mhaith – good health
Say it: SLAWN-cha wah. Adding mhaith (good) makes the toast a little warmer and more emphatic.
Sláinte chugat – health to you
Say it: SLAWN-cha KHUG-ut. A toast aimed at one particular person – perfect for a birthday or when someone has bought the round.
Sláinte agatsa – and your health
Say it: SLAWN-cha AG-ut-sa. The classic reply. Someone says "Sláinte!" and you answer "Sláinte agatsa!" – "health to you, too". If you only learn one reply, make it this one.
Sláinte agus táinte – health and wealth
Say it: SLAWN-cha AG-us TAWN-cha. A rhyming toast wishing health and wealth. Táinte originally meant herds of cattle – in old Ireland, cattle were wealth, and a family's standing was often measured by the size of its herd.
Toasts for special occasions
Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís
Say it roughly: guh MER-im-id byoh er un owm shuh uh-REESH.
"May we be alive at this time again." A heartfelt toast for Christmas, New Year or any gathering you hope to repeat next year. It is a reminder to be grateful for the people around the table, and for the simple fact of being together.
Sláinte na bhfear agus go maire na mná go deo
"Health to the men, and may the women live forever." A cheeky, old-fashioned toast you may still hear at weddings.
Irish toasts in English
Ireland has a great tradition of toasts in English too – witty, warm and usually with a twist at the end. Like many Irish blessings, they have been passed around for generations, and their exact origins are hard to trace. A few favourites:
- "May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out." Perfect for a housewarming or a gathering of old friends.
- "May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live." A clever bit of wordplay for a birthday.
- "May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead." The most famous of all, and always good for a laugh.
A little toasting etiquette
- Wait until everyone has a drink. Nobody should be left raising an empty hand.
- Look people in the eye as you clink glasses – it is only polite.
- Keep it short. One good line beats a long speech, unless you are the best man.
- Know your round. In an Irish pub, friends usually take turns buying a round for the group. Miss yours and you will hear about it.
- Include everyone. A toast is for the whole table, whatever is in their glass.
Bring sláinte home
A sláinte print is a natural fit for a home bar, kitchen, dining room or bar cart, and makes a great gift for a housewarming, a birthday or anyone who loves hosting. Some of our favourites:
- The hand-drawn Celebration Cheers print in sage green
- The Sláinte bar quote print in plum
- The hand-drawn Sláinte cheers print in blue
- The forest green wine glass Sláinte print
- The cocktail line art Sláinte print
- The Sláinte wine toast line art print
For something with a sense of place, the Sláinte floral Ireland map print adds a bright pop of colour. And because good company goes hand in hand with a toast, the What's the Craic olive green print makes a perfect partner on the wall.
A tip for styling: hang two or three cheers prints together above a bar cart or sideboard, mixing a hand-drawn illustration with a simple typography print. It gives the corner a relaxed, welcoming feel – exactly the mood you want when friends call round.
See the full range in our Irish Cheers Prints collection, or browse our Irish Kitchen Prints for the rest of the house. Every print is made to order on premium semi-glossy 200 gsm paper and shipped unframed.
Sláinte to you
Next time you raise a glass, you will know exactly what you are wishing – and how to answer back. Find your favourite cheers print, and remember that 10% off everything is applied automatically at checkout.
Go raibh maith agat – Adam