Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam Meaning: Irish Rest in Peace

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” is the Irish Gaelic phrase that appears on tombstones, sympathy cards, and death notices across Ireland—a centuries-old way of saying “may his soul rest in peace” that remains the most common Irish condolence expression in active use today.

Literal meaning: May his soul be at the right hand of God · English equivalent: May he rest in peace · Feminine form: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam · Common usage: Irish funerals and condolences · Source: Wiktionary and rip.ie

What does “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” mean?

The phrase “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” is a traditional Irish Gaelic expression used to offer condolences. According to Wiktionary, it literally translates to “may his soul be to the right of God”—essentially the Irish equivalent of saying “rest in peace.” The expression draws from the biblical concept of sitting at God’s right hand, a position of honor and peace in Christian theology.

English translation

The standard English rendering is “May his soul rest in peace.” Wiktionary confirms this translation, noting that the phrase is the functional equivalent of the familiar “RIP” used in English-speaking countries. Unlike the Latin “requiescat in pace,” this Irish version carries a distinctly Gaelic Catholic heritage.

Cultural context

“Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a (h)anam (dílís)” is undoubtedly the most common Irish condolence phrase, used even by people with little Irish. Daltaí na Gaeilge community discussions confirm the phrase appears at funerals, in sympathy cards, and carved on tombstones throughout Ireland. You’ll hear it at wakes, read it in newspaper death notices on rip.ie, and see it in social media posts expressing sympathy.

What does “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” literally mean?

Breaking down the phrase word by word reveals both its grammatical structure and its theological roots. The Geeky Gaeilgeoir provides a detailed linguistic analysis that clarifies common misunderstandings about this phrase.

Word-by-word translation

The phrase splits into two main components. “Ar dheis Dé” means “at God’s right hand”—with “dheis” being the dative form of “deas” (meaning “right”) rather than a past tense verb, as it’s sometimes mistakenly interpreted. The second part, “go raibh a anam,” translates to “may his soul be.” The word “go raibh” uses the subjunctive mood, expressing a wish or prayer rather than describing a past action.

The noun “anam” means “soul,” and according to Wiktionary, it can be modified with adjectives like “dílis” (dear or faithful) for emphasis—”Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis” means “may his dear soul be at God’s right hand.”

Biblical reference

The phrase points to a biblical concept found throughout Christian scripture: the right hand of God as a place of honor and eternal peace. The Geeky Gaeilgeoir notes that the full expansion is often given as “ar dheis lámh Dé” (on the right hand of God), making the theological reference explicit.

How do you say may he rest in peace in Irish?

The standard Irish phrasing for “may he rest in peace” is “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” This is the male-specific form, and it’s the one you’ll encounter most often in Irish death notices, funeral programs, and casual expressions of sympathy. Daltaí na Gaeilge forum participants confirm it remains in frequent active use throughout Ireland.

Standard phrasing

The standard male form is “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” (may his soul be at God’s right hand). For multiple souls, The Geeky Gaeilgeoir explains that the singular “a n-anam” is typically used even when referring to more than one person, though “a n-anamacha” (the strict plural form) also appears.

Pronunciation guide

While no authoritative source provides a complete IPA transcription, pronunciation guidance from Daltaí na Gaeilge suggests something like “ar dhesh day go rev ahn-uv”—with the emphasis on the first syllable and a soft “gh” sound in the middle. The feminine form adds an h-sound before the vowel: “ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam” sounds roughly like “ar dhesh day go rev a huhan-uv.” Regional accents in Dublin, Cork, and Galway produce noticeable variations, and exact pronunciation remains an area where authoritative dialect data is limited.

How do you express condolences in Irish?

Beyond “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” Irish offers several condolence expressions, each with slightly different theological emphasis. Daltaí na Gaeilge forums document multiple phrases still used today.

Common phrases

• Suaimhneas síoraí – “eternal peace,” the closest direct equivalent to English “RIP” (Daltaí na Gaeilge)
• Go ndéana Dia trócaire air – “God have mercy on him” (Daltaí na Gaeilge)
• Cómhbhrón ó chroí – “condolences from the heart” (Daltaí na Gaeilge)
• Ní maith liom bhur dtrioblóid – “I’m sorry for your troubles” (Daltaí na Gaeilge)

Gender variations

The gender system in Irish condolence phrases is important. The feminine form uses “a hanam” (with h-prothesis before the vowel) instead of “a anam.” The Geeky Gaeilgeoir notes this h-prothesis is a standard grammatical feature of Irish. So “ar dheis Dé go raibh sí” means “May she be at the right hand of God,” and “Go ndéana Dia trócaire uirthi” means “God have mercy on her.”

What do Irish people say at funerals?

Irish funeral traditions blend Gaelic and Catholic elements, and the language used at wakes reflects this heritage. The Geeky Gaeilgeoir documents the phrase’s appearance on tombstones throughout Ireland, while rip.ie displays it regularly in death notices and online memorial pages.

Funeral and wake expressions

In Irish, states like peace are expressed “on” a person, which produces phrases like “Suaimhneas air” (peace on him), “uirthi” (on her), and “orthu” (on them). The Geeky Gaeilgeoir explains this grammatical structure, which differs from English phrasing. You’ll also find “Suaimhneas Síoraí Air” carved on tombstones, meaning “Eternal Rest be Upon Him.” The Geeky Gaeilgeoir explains this grammatical structure, which differs from English phrasing, and you can learn more about this Irish phrase at Van Gogh’s sunflowers and mental illness.

Additional toasts

At Irish wakes, “sláinte” (health) toasts are common even during mourning. The phrase “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” often accompanies the final toast of the evening, honoring the deceased before the gathering disperses. Daltaí na Gaeilge community members report this practice remains common, particularly in rural areas and among families with strong Irish-speaking traditions.

“Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a (h)anam (dílís)” is undoubtedly the most common, widely used even among people with very little Irish.

— Aengus, Forum Participant at Daltaí na Gaeilge

The meaning of this phrase is well established, but misconceptions about its grammar—especially the confusion around “dheis”—persist in online discussions and need clarification.

— Language Expert Commenter, The Geeky Gaeilgeoir

The pattern here shows that the phrase’s grammar and meaning are well-documented, while historical etymology and precise phonetic guides remain areas where authoritative data is sparse.

Related reading: Counties of Ireland in Irish – Official Names for 32 Counties

Frequently asked questions

For anyone honouring an Irish loved one—whether through a funeral, a sympathy message, or a tattoo on a headstone—getting the gender form right matters. Visitors to Ireland who attend wakes will hear “ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” spoken with genuine warmth, and using it correctly, even if your Irish ends there, signals respect for a tradition that has comforted Irish families for generations.