Toasting Phrases in Ireland: What to Say When Raising a Glass

When you're in Ireland and someone raises a glass, it's not just about drinking—it's about connection. A toasting phrase, a short, meaningful utterance spoken before drinking, often tied to friendship, luck, or memory. Also known as a Gaelic toast, it's a quiet ritual that binds people together in pubs, kitchens, and wedding halls across the country. This isn’t about fancy Latin or Shakespearean lines. It’s about saying something real, something that sounds like it came from the person beside you, not a tourist brochure.

In Ireland, the best toasting phrases, short, spoken words used to honor someone or celebrate a moment during a drink. Also known as Irish cheers, they’re often simple, warm, and sometimes funny are the ones passed down through families. "Sláinte"—pronounced "slawn-chuh"—is the most common. It means "health" in Irish Gaelic, and it’s the go-to in every pub from Galway to Dublin. But that’s just the start. You’ll hear "Sláinte mhath"—"good health"—at dinner tables. At weddings, you might hear "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more"—a line that’s been whispered over whiskey for generations. And if someone’s celebrating a big win? "Here’s to the next one!" That’s not just a toast. It’s a promise.

What makes Irish toasting different? It’s not about volume or show. It’s about eye contact. You don’t just shout and drink. You look the person in the eye. That’s the rule. Skip it, and you’re not just rude—you’re out of step with how things are done here. And don’t worry if you don’t know the words. Locals won’t laugh. They’ll just say it again, slower. You’ll pick it up. The real magic isn’t in the phrase itself—it’s in the moment. A toast in Ireland isn’t a performance. It’s a handshake in sound.

These phrases live in the same space as the best jeans for Irish weather, the right hoodie for a Dublin winter, or the slipper that survives a wet kitchen floor. They’re practical. They’re worn in. They’ve been tested. And they stick around because they work. You’ll find them in the same posts that talk about what to wear to a wedding in Cork, how to pick a suit for a Dublin funeral, or why old jeans are better than new ones. It’s all part of the same culture: something real, something that lasts, something you don’t buy—you inherit it.

Below, you’ll find real stories, real advice, and real phrases people use when they raise a glass in Ireland—not the ones you see on postcards, but the ones you hear in the back room of a pub after three pints, at a grandmother’s birthday, or after a long day on the farm. These aren’t just words. They’re the quiet heartbeat of Irish gatherings. And if you want to know how to belong—not just visit—you’ll want to know what to say when the glass goes up.