Irish Toasts: What Slainte Means and How to Raise a Glass

Slainte (pronounced roughly "slawn-cha") means "health" in Irish and is the most common Irish toast, the equivalent of "cheers". It is used in every Irish pub in the world, including Little Island in Frydek-Mistek.

How do you pronounce slainte properly?

Irish (Gaeilge) has a pronunciation that bears little resemblance to how it is written. The basic variations:

• Slainte ("slawn-cha") - health, the standard toast
• Slainte mhaith ("slawn-cha wah") - good health
• Slainte chugat ("slawn-cha khoo-gat") - health to you
• Slainte na bhfear agus go maire na mna go deo - health to the men, and may the women live forever

You don't need to be a linguist. In the pub it is enough to raise your glass, look your companions in the eye and say "slainte". The atmosphere takes care of the rest.

What other toasts do the Irish use?

Ireland is a land of poets, and that holds true at the bar. Favourite toasts include:

• "May the road rise to meet you" - part of a traditional Irish blessing
• "Here's to a long life and a merry one"
• "May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead"

Toasting etiquette in an Irish pub

A few unwritten rules: you toast with eye contact, the glass is raised gently, and whoever buys the round is not forgotten; next time, someone else pays. Whiskey is never gulped during a toast, only sipped. With more than 50 whiskeys to choose from at Little Island, there is plenty worth savouring.

Where can you try slainte for real?

Best where it sounds natural: in an Irish pub. Come to Little Island at tr. T. G. Masaryka 1129 in Frydek-Mistek, order a Guinness or an Irish whiskey and raise your glass the Irish way. On Fridays and Saturdays there is live music from 8pm to go with it. Slainte!