Irish people have blessings, toasts, and curses for every occasion and are renowned for yarns and stories. They have a gift of the gab which may come from kissing The Blarney Stone! This collection of humourous quotations is full of wit and merriment but the sayings come from times of revolution, famine, and hardship. This volume is a treasure trove of blessings, toasts, and curses and is an ideal gift for those of Irish heritage seeking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (or St Patty's Day!) and St Brigid's day, which is now a national bank holiday in Ireland.

The Irish had blessings, toasts and curses for every occasion, this collection reproduces them all in their charming glory. Nostalgic, witty and charming, evocative of a traditional Ireland. Indispensable to add humour and flavour to speeches, talks and toasts. The Irish had blessings, toasts and curses for every occasion: hearing the news of a death or marriage, consoling neighbours in sorrow or sharing their joy, looking for a husband or wife, going off to work, saving turf, or having a drink at the end of the day. Irish Blessings, Toasts and Curses collects the very best of all three to produce this charming, nostalgic volume. Blessings: 'May you escape the gallows, avoid distress, and be as healthy as a trout.' Toasts: 'May the roof above us never fall in, And may us good companions beneath it, Never fall out.' Curses: 'That you may roast in hell for that and have your gravy sucked by the devil.'

Padraic O'Farrell [1932-2003] was born in Kildare but lived with his family in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. His published books include Proverbs and Sayings: Gems of Irish Wisdom and Superstitions of the Irish Country People.