March 17, 2026
“May the Road Rise to Meet You,” also known as “An Irish Blessing,” is a traditional prayer that is often said when wishing someone farewell or when someone passes through a transition in life — especially the transition between life and eternal life.
Among the many wishes in the blessing are these: “May God hold you in the palm of his hand. May God be with you and bless you.” A common Irish saying when someone dies is “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” or “May their soul be at God’s right hand.”
The prayer is used in sympathy cards and at funeral Masses and is frequently attributed to St. Patrick, whose feast day we observe today.
AN IRISH BLESSING
May the road rise 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.
May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home,
And may the land of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
To hear Celtic Thunder sing “May the Road Rise to Meet You,” click here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNeNHxq7o3k)
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