25 Irish sayings about love

These Irish sayings about love are perfect for writing on a card or caption, sharing in wedding vows, or simply murmuring to the love of your life!

When I was a teen, I imagined there could be nothing more romantic than a French or Italian man softly speaking words of love into my ears, with a heavy accent of course.

I studied French at high school and I still remember the intense excitement of hearing that a French university student was coming to assist with our class as some kind of GAP year thing.

I could see his firm muscular body, dark chestnut hair (perhaps topped with a beret), and chiseled features already.

Alas, visions were swiftly shattered when beanpole thin, red-headed François turned up in class – yet another example of the difference between appearance and reality.

That aside, there’s something special about the French accent, the Italian also – and the Irish.

While not as sophisticated as its French and Italian cousins, its rough and tumble vibe is mixed up with magic to create a lilting brogue.

It’s such a beautiful accent, that when I read these Irish sayings about love, I can’t help but hear the words being spoken in my mind.

Below you will find Irish proverbs, blessings, Gaelige and quotes, all about that most wonderful thing – love!

They make a fantastic addition to cards, captions, wedding toasts and more. You could even include them as part of your St Patrick’s activities for couples.

And bear in mind, there’s a lot of articles purporting to be on Irish sayings about love and so on. However, in my research many are incorrectly attributed. In this small but perfectly formed collection, I have endeavored to verify these are in fact Irish by several sources before including them.

Irish proverbs about love

These Irish proverbs about love would make a cute addition to a card or caption on a photograph.

May you only grow old in the face. Be treasured and cared for with grace.

May you have love that never ends, lots of money, and lots of friends.

Love is like stirabout – it must be made fresh every day.

Love is an affliction that no herb can cure.

Irish love quotes in Gaeilge

Take it to the next level by speaking or writing these Irish sayings in Gaeilge (Irish).

(You may want to check out this handy Irish pronunciation guide so you don’t butcher it.)

Capall an tsaoil an grá.
Love makes the world go around.

An té nach bpósann níl ach uaigneas dilte dósan. 
He who does not marry will be lonely

Folíonn grá gráin.
Love veils ugliness.

Maireann lá go ruaig ach maireann an grá go huaigh.
A day lasts until it’s chased away but love lasts until the grave.

Níl leigheas ar an ngrá ach pósadh.
There is no cure for love other than marriage.

Irish wedding blessings

These Irish wedding blessings are so beautiful, it’s no surprise they are so popular.

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me.
As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me.
As light to the eye,
as bread to the hungry,
as joy to the heart,
may thy presence be with me,
oh one that I love,
’til death comes to part us asunder.

I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine,
from this day it shall only your name I cry out in the night
and into your eyes that I smile each morning;
I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine,
never shall a grievous word be spoken about us,
for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.
Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life
and into the next.

May the road rise up 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.

Irish quotes about love

Bust out the big guns – these Irish quotes about love are by renowned Irish writers.

I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. – W.B. Yeats

Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship. – Oscar Wilde

Come live in my heart, and pay no rent. – Samuel Lover

First we feel, then we fall. – James Joyce

Hearts are not to be had as a gift, hearts have to be earned. – W.B. Yeats

I love you, I love you, my heart is a rose which your love has brought to bloom, my life is a desert fanned by the delicious breeze of your breath, and whose cool spring are your eyes; the imprint of your little feet makes valleys of shade for me, the odour of your hair is like myrrh, and wherever you go you exhale the perfumes of the cassia tree. Love me always, love me always. You have been the supreme, the perfect love of my life; there can be no other… – Oscar Wilde

If you do not love me, I shall not be loved. If I do not love you, I shall not love. – Samuel Beckett

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and a richness to life that nothing else can bring. – Oscar Wilde

Love will heal what language fails to know. –  Eavan Boland

The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you. – Brendan Behan

The thing about love is that we come alive in bodies not our own. – Colum McCann

What the heart knows today, the head will understand tomorrow. – James Stephens.

(Love quotes by writers? Then you’ll want to read these quotes about love from Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Jane Austen).

Whether it’s a simple expression of affection, or a profound reflection on the nature of love, these Irish sayings about love offer a unique perspective on the mysteries of the heart.

You might also like: Love quotes and messages.