Irish Good Luck: Do You Know Where This Expression Came From? Find Out Here!

Most people recognize the idea of Irish good luck, and the phrase 'the luck of the Irish,' is commonly used around the world. But do you really know what it means? Is it being blessed by the chance to live in such a beautiful country? Does it have something to do with Irish pubs and wonderful food?

The truth is, the phrase has more than just one meaning and there are also multiple stories about where it comes from.

So read on! And if you should find yourself wanting more information about Irish heritage and customs, please visit our Irish trivia and traditions page here...

Meanwhile, let's talk about Irish good luck!

Irish Good Luck: Two Interpretations...

People will proclaim “The Luck o' the Irish” when they find something or get lucky somehow. The phrase conjures up images of finding a four-leaf clover or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This is one interpretation, and it's our favorite.

On the other hand, there is a more cynical interpretation, tied to some of the darker times in Irish history. Ireland has had its share of difficult times as a nation, so on occasion the term is used sarcastically to refer to bad luck.

Now Back to the Fun...

However most use it as a happy expression - and that's definitely the one we prefer! One possible source of the idea of Irish good luck was the silver and gold rush years in America.

At that time several of the most profitable miners were of Irish decent. Irishmen like John Mackay, James Flood, James Fair and William O'Brien were recognized as the "Silver Kings" when they hit the legendary Comstock Lode.

Eventually the connection of the Irish with the mining fortunes made by them led to the phrase "Luck of the Irish."

Today we see many occasions with "Luck of the Irish" themes, including "LOTI" cook-offs on St. Patrick's Day, cooking all their favorite dishes for the crowds of family and friends lucky enough to partake.

Want More Irish Traditions?

It is probably obvious - at Irish Expressions, we love Irish traditions! Expressing ourselves through Irish-themed activities gives us a deeper sense of connection with Ireland, wherever in the world we happen to be!

Over the years, we have created many downloadable, share-able Irish games, puzzles, recipes, songbooks, quizzes, and much, much more.

Want them right now? Keep reading to learn about "Your Irish Expressions Playbook."

What's Next?

At Irish Expressions, our our goal is simple: to provide you with a unique Irish experience, on demand, wherever you are in the world.

If you have already enjoyed our section on famous Irish sayings, you have probably been exposed to some of the best Irish wit and wisdom Emerald Isle has to offer.

Will that entice you to visit Ireland - or to return if you have already been? We hope so!

But even if that is not possible, you can still enjoy the magic of Ireland in these pages. Check out the links at the top of the page for simple instructions on how to explore Irish landmarks, sing Irish songs, enjoy Irish food, and much more!

More Fun With Irish Expressions

Congratulations on learning more about the Emerald Isle and discovering what we like to call your "Irish Side." You may be thinking "I'd love to actually VISIT Ireland but that's really not in the cards right now. What am I supposed to do with the stuff I just learned?"

Well never fear! Since 2009 we have collected all of the best printable, shareable resources we could find, to help you put your new knowledge of Ireland to good use. We've put them all together in a single download we call "Your Irish Expressions Playbook," which contains over 50 pages of games, puzzles, recipes, songbooks, quizzes, travel guides and much, much more.

Purchase them ALL for one small price, print as many copies as you like and share them with your friends - with no limitations! But order soon - we are already adding to the Playbook for future editions and this price will not last long.

Oh, want one more reason to order right away? If you buy YOUR copy of the Playbook now, you will be allowed to upgrade to any new future edition for FREE.