If you would like to express your condolences in Irish to someone, below are options to choose from.
The below is if you’re literally saying may their soul be at the right side of God. It is probably the most common expression of condolence you hear.
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam | May she rest in peace |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam | May he rest in peace |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha | May they rest in peace |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal | May her noble soul rest in peace (lit.) |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis | May her faithful soul rest in peace (lit.) |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal | May his noble soul rest in peace (lit.) |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis | May his faithful soul rest in peace (lit.) |
| Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha uaisle / dílse | May their noble/faithful souls rest in peace |
A point on the above as well, it’s often traditional to mention the above any time you mention the dead person e.g. ‘Oh scríobh Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé an leabhar sin ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam’. This is also heard when Irish people are speaking in English about someone no longer with us e.g. ‘I remember Síle well, god rest her soul’.
One more thing, it’s important to pronounce anam (soul) and ainm (name) differently. They are not the same. Literally every sound in them is different.
- Anam (click to listen) – International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): ɑn̪ˠəmˠ OR Celticist: /ɑnəm/
- Ainm (click to listen) – International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): anʲəmʲ OR Celticist: /an′ɪm′/
Below are other ways to express your condolences in Irish :
| Ní maith liom do thrioblóid | Sorry for your loss (literally “I don’t like your trouble” – but don’t compare this to English as seemingly harsh. It is a condolence) |
| Ní maith liom do bhris | Sorry for your loss |
| Is oth liom do bhris | Sorry for your loss |
| Mo chomhbhrón ort agus ar do mhuintir | My condolences to you and your family |
| Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam / anam / n-anamacha | May she / he / they rest in peace (lit. eternal peace) |
| Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh aige / aici | Eternal rest to him/her |
| Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí aige / aici | Eternal rest to him/her |
| (go tuga Dia) suaimhneas síoraí dó/dá anam | (that God may) grant eternal rest to him/her |
| Grásta ó Dhia ar a hanam / a anam | God grace her/his soul |
| Go ndéana Dia trócaire uirthi / air / orthu | God have mercy on her/him/them |
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