How to Write Your Own St. Patrick's Day Message

While classic quotes offer timeless wisdom, adding your own personal touch makes a St. Patrick's Day greeting truly special. Writing a memorable message does not require you to be a poet. By following a simple formula, you can craft a warm, festive wish that perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday.

A Simple Formula for Festive Greetings

To create a well-rounded message, try combining a cheerful opening, a meaningful quote or blessing, and a warm closing. This structure works well for almost any recipient, from close friends to colleagues.

• The Opening: Start with a festive and friendly greeting. Keep it light and celebratory.
• The Core Sentiment: Insert a classic quote, a traditional blessing, or a personal wish for good luck and happiness.
• The Closing: End with a warm sign-off that looks forward to the future or reaffirms your relationship.

Worked Examples

Here is how that formula looks in practice:

Recipient	Example Message
A Close Friend	Happy St. Patrick's Day! As W.B. Yeats said, "Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends." I am so lucky to have you in my life. Let's celebrate soon!
A Family Member	Wishing you a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. May you live all the days of your life with joy and good health. Sending you all my love today and always.
A Colleague	Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wishing you a day full of good luck and a year full of success. Hope you have a great time celebrating!

Etiquette and Timing for St. Patrick's Day Wishes

St. Patrick's Day is generally a relaxed and joyous occasion, which means the etiquette for sending wishes is quite flexible. However, keeping a few guidelines in mind will ensure your messages are received in the best possible spirit.

When to Send Your Greetings

The ideal time to send your St. Patrick's Day quotes and wishes is on the day itself, March 17. If you are mailing a physical card, aim to drop it in the mail about a week in advance so it arrives just in time. For digital messages, texts, and social media posts, the morning of the holiday is perfect. Sending a message a day or two early is also perfectly acceptable, especially if you are wishing someone a great weekend of celebrations.

Choosing the Right Medium

The medium you choose should match your relationship with the recipient:

• Greeting Cards: Best for close family members, older relatives, or anyone who appreciates traditional mail. A handwritten quote adds a thoughtful, personal touch.
• Text Messages: Ideal for friends, siblings, and close colleagues. Texts are quick, casual, and perfect for sharing a short, witty quote.
• Emails: Appropriate for professional contacts or acquaintances. Keep the tone friendly but respectful.
• Social Media: Great for sharing festive photos with a broad audience. Short quotes make excellent captions for your St. Patrick's Day pictures.

What to Avoid in Your Messages

While St. Patrick's Day is a time for fun, it is still important to be mindful of your audience. To ensure your greetings hit the right note, there are a few things you might want to avoid.

Steer Clear of Stereotypes

Avoid leaning too heavily on tired cliches or stereotypes about Irish culture. While playful references to luck and the color green are standard, it is best to avoid jokes that could be seen as disrespectful. Stick to uplifting themes like friendship, joy, and good fortune.

Check Your Quotes

The internet is full of misattributed quotes and fake Irish blessings. If you are looking for authenticity, rely on verified quotes from known historical figures and authors, like the ones provided on this page. Sharing a genuine piece of literature shows thoughtfulness and respect for the culture.

Mind the Tone

Match the tone of your message to the recipient. A humorous quote about drinking might be perfect for a college friend but inappropriate for a professional contact or a conservative relative. When in doubt, opt for a classic, inspiring quote that focuses on luck or friendship.

Examples for Different Formats

Depending on how you plan to send your St. Patrick's Day wishes, you might need to adjust the length and style of your message. Here are a few examples tailored to different formats.

For a Text Message

Keep it brief and punchy. "Happy St. Patrick's Day! 'A friend loveth at all times.' So grateful for your friendship today and always!"

For an Email

Maintain a warm but polite tone. "Wishing you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day. May this season bring you good luck and continued success. Best regards."

For Social Media

Pair a great photo with a short, impactful quote. "Celebrating today with good friends and great memories. 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.' - Oscar Wilde. Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

By combining these practical tips with the classic quotes provided above, you will be well-equipped to share the joy and luck of St. Patrick's Day with everyone in your life.

Where these quotes come from

Every quote on this page was checked against the place it first appeared: the book, poem, play, speech, letter or, for scripture, the King James Version text. The Breastplate prayer is given in Kuno Meyer's translation from Old Irish; traditional Irish blessings have no single author, so their wording varies slightly from one printing to the next. Wording, spelling and punctuation follow those sources, so older spellings such as "labour" or "honour" are left as printed.

We left out popular lines that circulate on quote sites but cannot be traced to anything the person actually wrote or said, such as "I have nothing to declare except my genius," which Oscar Wilde is supposed to have told a customs officer, though no one recorded it at the time, and "There is no past, no future; everything flows in an eternal present," which does not appear in James Joyce's books. If a quote matters for a speech, a program or a printed card, the author line under each quote tells you which work to look it up in.