May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

This text is widely circulated as an “Irish blessing,” commonly used as a farewell or benediction at partings, weddings, wakes, and other leave-takings, especially in Irish and Irish-diaspora communities. It reflects a blend of older Gaelic-style good-wishing (invoking favorable travel conditions, weather, and fertility of the land) with Christian devotional language (“may God hold you…”). Although frequently presented as an ancient traditional saying, it is best understood as a modernly popularized traditional-form blessing: a piece of folk-style devotional verse transmitted through oral use, greeting cards, church programs, and later mass media, rather than a quotation traceable to a single identifiable author or first publication.

The blessing layers practical and spiritual care into a single farewell. “May the road rise up to meet you” and “wind…at your back” evoke ease of travel and providential assistance—life’s journey made smoother by forces beyond one’s control. Sun and rain balance comfort and nourishment: warmth for the traveler, gentle rain for the fields, suggesting both personal well-being and communal prosperity. The closing line shifts from nature to theology, offering intimate protection—being held in God’s hand—while acknowledging separation (“until we meet again”). Its enduring appeal lies in joining everyday hopes with sacred reassurance, making it suitable for both solemn and celebratory occasions.

1) “May the road rise to meet you; may the wind be always at your back.”
2) “May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields.”
3) “And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”