The Irish had blessings, toasts and curses for every occasion: hearing the news of a death or marriage, consoling neighbours in sorrow or sharing their joy, looking for a husband or wife, going off to work, saving turf, or having a drink at the end of the day. Irish Blessings, Toasts and Curses collects the very best of all three to produce this charming, nostalgic volume.

Blessings: 'May you escape the gallows, avoid distress, and be as healthy as a trout.'Toasts: 'May the roof above us never fall in, And may us good companions beneath it, Never fall out.'

Curses: 'That you may roast in hell for that and have your gravy sucked by the devil.'

Padraic O'Farrell [1932- 2003] was born in Kildare but lived with his family in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. His published books include Proverbs and Sayings: Gems of Irish Wisdom and Superstitions of the Irish Country People.