In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day I’ve compiled a list of 10 Irish proverbs from the thousands of quotations, poetry, prose, toasts, sayings, blessings and other expressions that originate from the literary prodigious Land of Saints and Scholars – Ireland. I’ve matched up black and white Irish photographs from my Between Heaven and Earth gallery for your visual indulgence.
10.
Nuair a fhásann a craobhóg deacair go bhfuil sé deacair a twist é. Bíonn gach tosú lag.
When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak.
The Dark Hedges #1, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 2010
9.
Dá fhaid é an lá tiocfaidh an tráthnóna.
No matter how long the day, the evening will come.
Under Blades Of Grass, Clare, Ireland, 2009
8.
Meileann muilte Dé go mall ach meileann siad go mín.
The mills of God grind slowly but they grind finely.
Subsumed, Wicklow, Ireland, 2006
7.
An rud is annamh is íontach.
What is seldom is wonderful.
Rapid Formations #2, Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, 2007
6.
Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.
Time is a great storyteller.
Suffusion, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland, 2006
5.
Na daoine teacht agus dul, ach na cnoic fós.
The people come and go, but the hills remain.
Sanctuary In The Valley Of Two Lakes, Wicklow, Ireland, 2009
4.
Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.
There’s hope from the ocean but none from the grave.
Dunluce Castle, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 2010
3.
Uaireanta lá amháin athruithe gach rud; uaireanta rud ar bith athrú bliana.
Sometimes one day changes everything; sometimes years change nothing.
A Passage Through Time, Skellig Michael, Kerry, Ireland, 2010
2.
An rud a líonas an tsúil líonann sé an croí.
What fills the eye fills the heart.
The Priest’s Stone, Skellig Michael, Kerry, Ireland, 2010
1.
Folaíonn grá gráin.
Love is blind.
Flight, Dublin, Ireland, 2009
Bonus Irish blessing:
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
Isle Of The Blessed, Connemara, Galway, Ireland, 2008
Click for the full Ireland black and white photography gallery.
Sláinte!
