Erin Go Bragh Shamrock

Black text on a white background above an illustration of an two flags, a shamrock, and a harp atop a glowing yellow background

“Erin Go Bragh” is a phrase often heard on St. Patrick’s Day. In the original Irish, “Éirinn go Brách” is roughly translated to mean “Ireland Forever.” The phrase was coined as a rallying cry during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a revolt of the Irish against British rule. Although they were unable to obtain their independence at that time, the phrase was picked up by the Irish people as a sign of their allegiance to Ireland. The phrase found its way to the United States through its use by a unit of Irish-American volunteers fighting for Mexico in the Mexican-American War in the 1840s. Today the phrase is used by Irish-Americans to celebrate their heritage.