How To Say Good Luck In Irish

Do you want to learn how to say good luck in Irish Gaelic? 

We all know the phrase “luck of the Irish” is a St. Patrick’s Day staple, but have you ever wondered where it came from? Let’s begin by defining the word “luck” in the Irish language.

Old Norse happ, which means “chance, good fortune,” is the root of the word, which was coined in the 12th century.

Meanwhile, numerous famous and prosperous miners of Irish and Irish American ancestry made their names in California during the second half of the nineteenth century, the era of the gold and silver rush. The phrase “luck o’ the Irish.” was coined as a result of this association between the Irish and mining fortunes. Thus, the Irish are referred to as “lucky” as a result.

During Ireland’s national holiday St. Patrick’s Day, luck also plays a huge part. Tradition says that if you find a four-leaf clover, you will be very lucky indeed. This is the same with wearing green, which is considered a lucky color.

While we’re on the topic of luck, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Irish, it just makes sense to learn how we should wish someone “good luck” in their native language.

How to Say “Good Luck” in Irish

One of the more common expressions in this language is to wish someone well or to bestow the Irish Gaelic version of “good luck” on others. These expressions, which are similar to giving someone a good blessing in Irish Gaelic cultures, occur as frequently as expletives in conversational dialects throughout the island.

Irish conversational culture is enhanced by the use of traditional Irish blessings.

Each of the following good luck phrases can be said casually in a conversation, or they can be used to express more personal feelings about the recipient. When speaking in Irish, it’s important to speak quickly and without pausing in between each word. The Irish also believe that by merely saying these good luck prayers, you may bless another person, Irish or not.

Good Luck in Irish

Read on and learn all the ways to say”Good luck” in Irish

1. Go n-eirí an t-ádh leat! — Good luck!

What is it about the Irish that makes one think of luck? Good luck can be expressed in a variety of ways in the Irish language, making it difficult to find a single expression for “good fortune.”

However,if you are looking for the standard and the most popular way to say “good luck,” say Go n-eirí an t-ádh leat! which is “May luck rise with you.”

This expression is pronounced as Guh NAH-ree on TAAH-laht! 

2. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat — Good luck!

This is another well-known phrase that means “good luck.” Go n-éir a bóthar leat roughly translates as “may the road rise to greet you,” which is also the first line of a well-known Irish proverb. If you can find a four-leaf clover to accompany these phrases, they will mean even more to the person you will say this to!

3. More Irish Blessings / “Good luck” in Irish

Here are other ways for you to wish someone good luck” in Irish.

• Adh mor ort – Good luck to you!

This can also mean “Luck to you!” and is pronounced as awn-more-oert.

• Go gcuire Dia an t-ádh ort – Best of luck to you!

This expression translates to “May God put luck on you!” This is pronounced as Guh gir’uh d’eeuh uhn tah ort.

 

• Go n-éirí an bóthar leat – May the road succeed with you!

This is another empathic way of saying “good luck” in Irish. It is pronounced as guh n’ayr’ee uhn boehuhr l’aet.

When wishing someone good luck, it’s most common to use the first of these three phrases. There is a slew of other catchy Irish Gaelic expressions that are close to, but not quite, positive affirmations of good fortune.

4. Irish Blessings / “Good luck” in a Conversation

The following are some common phrases used in conversation to express blessings to others.

• Sláinte – “Good health to you!”

Pronounced as slawn-Cha.

• Slán agus beannacht leat –“Goodbye and blessings with you!”

Pronounced as slawn ogg-us ban-ocked lyat.