Saint Patrick's Blessing
To King Niall at Aileach

I bless the land from Ballagh's Rath, which frowns the Atlantic o'er,
To wild Glengad, to fair Culdaff, to Shroove's bleak, lonely shore;
I bless each mountain, hill and dale - each river, lake, and rill,
From Lough Foyle's tide to Malin Head, from Swilly to Moville;
This chosen Isle forever, Lord, be Thine, and Thine alone
And be the garden of Thy church this sea-girt Inishowen.

I bless a thousand times, O King, thy royal house and heirs;
In council may their wisdom shine, in war be victory theirs;
Throughout all time may Niall's Line their sovereignty maintain,
And rulers be by land and sea whilst Aileach's halls remain
Forever shall my prayer ascend to God's eternal throne
For blessings on the young and old - the race of Cinel-Eoghain;
Not wealth be theirs, nor pomp, nor power, nor fortune's fleeting dream,
Which pass, as to the ocean rolls the unreturning stream,
But faith, and hope, and love divine mark ever as God's own
The virgins pure and valorous sons of rock-bound Inishowen.

Translated by W.M. Hennessy

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