The classic Irish word you’ll hear in a toast is “Sláinte” , which means “health” and is used just like “cheers.”

Quick Scoop: What the Irish Say When They Toast

  • The most common Irish toast is “Sláinte” , pronounced roughly “slawn-cha” or “slawn-che.”
  • It literally means “health” and is used when raising a glass in pubs, gatherings, and celebrations.
  • A very common extended version is “Sláinte mhaith” (“slawn-che wah”), meaning “good health.”
  • You might also hear responses like “Sláinte agatsa” , meaning “to your health as well.”

A Few Nice Variations

  • Sláinte mhaith – “Good health.”
  • Sláinte chugat – “Health to you” (to one person).
  • Sláinte chugaibh – “Health to you” (to a group).
  • Sláinte is táinte – “Health and wealth.”

In practice, if you’re in an Irish pub or at a St. Patrick’s Day party and someone raises a glass, simply look them in the eye, smile, and say: “Sláinte!”

TL;DR:
When the Irish toast, they typically say “Sláinte” (meaning “health”), sometimes extended to phrases like “Sláinte mhaith” (“good health”).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.