From lighthearted one-liners to quiet prayers, these timeless Irish words capture the warmth, patience, and wisdom that older family members pass down. Use them to brighten a visit, make a phone call, or pause and remember those who are no longer with us.

These short Irish sayings, prayers, and quotes offer simple ways to honour the elders who have shaped our families. Whether you need a line for a card a moment of quiet reflection or something to share over a cup of tea these words carry a warmth that feels both familiar and comforting.

The collection moves between playful one-liners that coax a smile and humble prayers that invite gratitude and calm. Rooted in memory and everyday moments, these phrases highlight patience, humour, and the steady wisdom that only time can teach.

Keep a few of these lines to brighten a visit, spark a phone call, or tuck into a handwritten note for someone who has given so much. Read them aloud, send one in a message, or sit with them for a little while and remember the elders who live on in our stories and hearts.

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A Special Kind of Love

There’s a special kind of love that grandchildren have for their grandparents.

It’s filled with respect for their wisdom and accomplishments.

With gratitude for the values they’ve given us, with delight in the stories of our family that they remember and share.

It’s a special kind of love that’s built on a lifetime of caring and giving.

It’s the kind of love that’s felt for you my dear grandparent, today and always.

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“The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.”

-Sam Levenson

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“A child needs a grandparent, anybody’s grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world.”

- Charles and Ann Morse

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Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure,

The founders of a loving legacy, the greatest storytellers,

The keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory.

Grandparents are the family’s strong foundation.

Their very special love sets them apart.

Through happiness and sorrow,

through their special love and caring,

Grandparents keep a family close at heart.

- Author unknown.

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“What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. “

- Rudy Giuliani

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Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren the strength and wisdom that time and experience have given them.

Grandchildren bless their grandparents with a youthful vitality and innocence that help them stay young at heart forever.

Together they create a chain of love linking the past with the future.

The chain may lengthen, but it will never part.

- Author unknown.

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“Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents, siblings, spouses, friends — and hardly ever our own grown children.”

- Ruth Goode

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Prayer to Saint Ann and Saint Joachim – Grandparent’s Prayer

Good Saint Ann and Saint Joachim,

parents of Mary and grandparents to Jesus,

be with me and all grandparents

that we may be wise and loving,

may share our time and stories and sense of humor,

and may enjoy and not spoil too much the grandchildren

who are close to our hearts,

for they are the sign of God's life to us.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

be with our grandchildren and all other grandchildren

that they may love and respect their grandparents

and all older people,

may remember to call,

visit or write,

and grow in wisdom,

age and grace before God.

Amen.

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“A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.”

- Author Unknown

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Grandma’s Poem

It seems that grandmas always need

A little one to hold;

To kiss and love, with all their hearts,

To shelter from the cold.

It gives me so much pleasure

When you sit upon my knee.

To know as I grow older

You will always keep me company.

I'll tell you lots of stories,

I'll sing you lullabies.

And you will know I love you more

With each beautiful day that goes by.

I used to hold your mommy

And hug and kiss her too.

I love her very much, you know

The same way that she loves you.

I used to wish that she could stay

My baby all her life.

But God intended for my little girl

To grow up to be a mommy and a wife.

And that's why He makes grandchildren-

To fill the empty gap.

It would be such a lonely world without you,

Come and sit upon my lap.


* Originally published in 2015, updated in February 2026.