Irish toasts are a traditional part of Saint Patrick's Day celebrations worldwide. Most Irish toasts involve wishes of luck, love and general good cheer, and many evolved from centuries old stories passed down for generations. It is considered traditional to end each toast with the Gaelic phrase "Sláinte!", which means "Health!" and is the English equivalent of "Cheers!"Irish Language Today: Irish Gaelic Toasts

1. Ireland is also know as Erin
2. Nicknamed "The Emerald Isle"
3. Capital: DublinGreenwich Meantime: Ireland Facts
4. Official language: Irish (Gaelic)Greenwich Meantime: Ireland Facts
5. 88.4% of Ireland's population are Roman CatholicGreenwich Meantime: Ireland Facts
6. Government: RepublicGreenwich Meantime: Ireland Facts
7. Became an official Republic in 1948Local Histories: A Brief History of Ireland
8. Much of Ireland's culture, including its language, was derived from the ancient Celts that once inhabited the landLocal Histories: A Brief History of Ireland

• "Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
• Who through strategy and stealth,
• Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
• Here’s a toasting to his health.
• But not too many toastings
• Lest you lose yourself and then
• Forget the good Saint Patrick
• And see all those snakes again."Island Ireland: Irish Toasts

• "Here's to a long life and a merry one.
• A quick death and an easy one.
• A pretty girl and an honest one.
• A cold pint-- and another one!"Beer100.com: Irish Toasts

• "May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live."About.com: Irish Toasts