Happy St. Patrick's Day! Whether you're celebrating with family, watching the parade from the roadside, or sending warm wishes to someone you love who is far away — the 17th of March is one of those occasions that gives you a genuine reason to reach out. Below you'll find the best St. Patrick's Day greetings to share, how to say it properly in Irish, heartfelt wishes for every relationship, and ideas for what to actually do on the day.
How to Say Happy St. Patrick's Day in Irish
If you want your St. Patrick's Day greetings to land with a little extra warmth, the Irish language is the way to go. Here's how to say Happy St. Patrick's Day in Irish — with pronunciation guides for each:
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Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit — Happy St. Patrick's Day to you (one person). Literally: "Happy Day of the Festival of Patrick to you." Pronounced: "Law Ayl-eh Paw-rig Sun-ah Dit" (or "Ditch" in some dialects).
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Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh — Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you (a group). Pronounced: "Law Ayl-eh Paw-rig Sun-ah Dee-uv" (also heard as "Yee-uv" in some dialects).
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Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ort — St. Patrick's Day blessings upon you (singular). Pronounced: "Ban-akh-tee nah Fay-leh Paw-rig urt."
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Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh — St. Patrick's Day blessings upon you all (plural). Pronounced: "Ban-akh-tee nah Fay-leh Paw-rig ur-iv."
A quick note on spelling: it's always Paddy's Day, never Patty's Day. "Patty" is widely considered incorrect in Ireland — Paddy comes from Pádraig, the Irish form of Patrick.
Even attempting the Irish will earn you a smile from any native speaker — and possibly a warm correction, which is even better.
Short & Sweet Happy St. Patrick's Day Wishes
Sometimes a simple message is the most genuine. Here are some quick happy St. Patrick's Day wishes to send by text or card:
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"Wishing you the luck of the Irish today and every day — Happy St. Patrick's Day!"
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"May your day be as bright as the shamrocks. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!"
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"Sending green wishes your way — Happy Paddy's Day!"
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"May the road rise up to meet you today. Happy St. Patrick's Day."
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"Thinking of you on this very Irish day — hope it's a brilliant one!"
Warm St. Patrick's Day Wishes for Family & Friends
For those closer to your heart, something a little more considered:
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"On St. Patrick's Day and every day, I'm grateful for you. Wishing you joy, good health, and all things green."
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"To my favourite Irish person — may this day bring you as much happiness as you bring to everyone around you."
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"Sending a little bit of Ireland your way. Happy St. Patrick's Day — miss you and love you."
Of course, words only go so far. Nothing says it quite like a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers arriving at someone's door on the morning of the 17th.
Our hand tied bouquets are a warm, personal choice for St. Patrick's Day — each one freshly arranged and delivered across Ireland.
What to Do on St. Patrick's Day: Ideas for Every Kind of Day
Not sure what to do on St. Patrick's Day this year? Here are ideas to suit every kind of celebration — from full family days out to quiet moments at home.
Out and About
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Attend a local St. Patrick's Day parade. Dublin hosts the largest festival, but parades take place in towns all across Ireland. Worth knowing: Waterford is believed to have held Ireland's first St. Patrick's Day parade back in 1903.
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Visit somewhere beautiful — Ireland is at its greenest in March, and coastal paths and national parks are stunning in the early spring light.
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Pop into a traditional pub for a session of live music — even a short visit for the atmosphere is worth it.
At Home with Family
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Cook a traditional Irish meal together — Irish stew, soda bread, and colcannon are all relatively simple and genuinely delicious.
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Build a leprechaun trap with the kids the night before — and leave a small treat to be 'discovered' in the morning.
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Watch the Dublin parade on RTÉ and make a morning of it with a proper Irish breakfast. St. Patrick's Day is a national public holiday in Ireland, so schools, government offices, and banks are all closed — making it a proper family day.
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Bake green-themed cupcakes or a St. Patrick's Day sponge cake.
Fun St. Patrick's Day Activities at Home
Watch the Dublin Parade:
Tune in to RTÉ for live coverage of the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade, streamed globally on the RTÉ Player. A perfect way to enjoy the festivities from home.
Cook a Traditional Irish Meal:
Try bacon and cabbage, soda bread, or colcannon — dishes rooted in authentic Irish tradition.
Family-Friendly Crafts:
Kids can enjoy shamrock-themed crafts, green decorations, or baking treats like cupcakes or a sponge cake decorated for the day.
Enjoy Irish Stories & Music:
Read Irish folklore aloud — leprechauns, the Blarney Stone, or tales from Tír na nÓg. Play traditional Irish music to set the mood and bring the spirit of the day indoors.
Sending St. Patrick's Day Wishes from Abroad
For the Irish diaspora scattered across the UK, the US, Australia, and beyond, St. Patrick's Day is often one of the most emotionally resonant days of the year. Arranging a flower delivery to family back home is one of the simplest ways to close the distance — and it arrives in a way that a text message never quite can.
We deliver fresh flowers to addresses all across Ireland — see our nationwide flower delivery page for coverage details.
Not sure about timing or how it works? Our delivery information page covers everything you need to know before you order.
Whatever form it takes — a bouquet on the doorstep, a gift set arriving in the morning, a video call at breakfast — the gesture matters. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh — Happy St. Patrick's Day to each and every one of you.
