"Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy."
W. B. Yeats
IrishHumor
Saint Patrick's Day Quotes
200 FAMOUS QUOTES · SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
Saint Patrick's Day Quotes
Best Saint Patrick's Day quotes from Oscar Wilde, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce, Seamus Heaney and JFK: 200 lines on Irish luck, wit, heritage and friendship.
"This is not the land of my birth, but it is the land for which I hold the greatest affection."John F. Kennedy
IrelandHeritage
"When my great-grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty."John F. Kennedy
Irish HeritageLiberty
"We Irish are too poetical to be poets; we are a nation of brilliant failures, but we are the greatest talkers since the Greeks."Oscar Wilde
IrishWit
"An Irishman's heart is nothing but his imagination."George Bernard Shaw
IrishImagination
"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends."
W. B. Yeats
FriendshipGlory
"When I die Dublin will be written in my heart."
James Joyce
DublinHome
"I always write about Dublin, because if I can get to the heart of Dublin I can get to the heart of all the cities of the world."
James Joyce
DublinWriting
"May you live all the days of your life."
Jonathan Swift
BlessingLife
"If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way."
Seamus Heaney
WordsHope
"History says, don't hope On this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme."
Seamus Heaney
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Samuel Beckett
PerseveranceFailure
"We learn from failure, not from success!"
Bram Stoker
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Oliver Goldsmith
ResilienceGlory
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
Edmund Burke
ActionEffort
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."Oscar Wilde
"Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about."Oscar Wilde
LifeWit
"May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul."
John O'Donohue
BlessingSoul
"I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful."
Saint Patrick
Saint PatrickHumility
"The harp that once through Tara's halls The soul of music shed."
Thomas Moore
Irish MusicHeritage
"'Tis the last rose of summer, Left blooming alone."
Thomas Moore
Irish PoetryBeauty
"Luck is believing you're lucky."
Tennessee Williams
LuckBelief
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Stephen Leacock
LuckHard Work
"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect."Ralph Waldo Emerson
LuckEffort
"Diligence is the mother of good luck."Benjamin Franklin
LuckDiligence
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About Saint Patrick's Day Quotes
# Saint Patrick's Day Quotes
Every year on March 17, people around the world wear green, wave shamrocks and celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, honouring Ireland's patron saint and the rich culture of the Irish people. Few nations have given the world so many great writers. Oscar Wilde, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney all came from the Emerald Isle, and their wit and wisdom are still quoted everywhere.
This collection gathers the best Saint Patrick's Day quotes on Irish heritage, luck, friendship, humour, poetry and the spirit of Ireland, from Irish authors, poets, explorers and admirers like John F. Kennedy. Share them on cards, captions and party invitations, or simply enjoy a little Irish wisdom this March 17.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Saint Patrick's Day quotes.
What is the most famous quote for Saint Patrick's Day?
Popular choices include W. B. Yeats's "Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends," Oscar Wilde's "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars," and John F. Kennedy's warm words about Ireland being "the land for which I hold the greatest affection."
Who was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick was a 5th-century Christian missionary and bishop who became the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was captured as a youth and taken to Ireland, later escaped, and eventually returned to spread Christianity. His own writing, the *Confessio*, begins "I am Patrick, a sinner." Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, traditionally believed to be the date of his death.
Why do people wear green and use shamrocks on Saint Patrick's Day?
According to legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, which made it a lasting symbol of the day. Green is linked to Ireland's lush landscape, which earned it the nickname "the Emerald Isle," as well as to Irish national identity, so wearing green became a popular way to celebrate.
Which famous Irish writers are quoted on Saint Patrick's Day?
Ireland has produced four Nobel Prize winners in Literature: W. B. Yeats (1923), George Bernard Shaw (1925), Samuel Beckett (1969) and Seamus Heaney (1995). Along with Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker and C. S. Lewis, they are among the most quoted writers every March 17.
What are some short Saint Patrick's Day quotes for captions?
Short favourites include Spike Milligan's "I'm Irish. We think sideways," Seamus Heaney's "Walk on air against your better judgement," Samuel Beckett's "Dance first. Think later," Thomas Kettle's description of Ireland as "half an hour nearer the sunset," and Emily Dickinson's "Luck is not chance, it's toil."
How can I use Saint Patrick's Day quotes?
Saint Patrick's Day quotes are perfect for greeting cards, Instagram captions, party invitations, classroom activities, parade signs and office newsletters. They also make a lovely way to celebrate Irish heritage, friendship and good luck with family and friends every March 17.