Irish translation help please.

[SprayedWithDettol]

I was wondering if someone could help please?

We are preparing the text for my DF’s gravestone. He was a proud Irishman and we want an Irish phrase on the stone to mark this. Neither my mother, sister or I speak or read/write Irish so I wondered if someone here on Craicnet could please help?

The phrase is:
‘Here lies an honourable man’

Thanks in advance.

I'm 20 years in the UK and a non-speaker although I'm sure a real gaelgóir will be along to help out shortly, but I was wondering if you are 100% committed to that phrase? It's not a very Irish sentiment exactly, and a translation might not hit the exact note of authenticity you might wish for.

What I mean is, it might be more in keeping with his lineage to have a phrase like "Ní fheicimíd a leithéad arís" which is commonly uttered at funerals or at the passing of a well-loved person. It means "we shall not see [anyone] like him again" (because he was irreplaceable). It is of course a matter for you, but I just thought I would put that out there for you to think about if it hadn't crossed your mind.

Many thanks.

It’s my mother’s choice, not mine. I’m taking her lead!

I don't know how to do the fada's on my phone (accents over some of the vowels to make them longer) but a direct translation would be-Ta fear onorach ina lui anseo. There should be a fade on the a in Ta, on the 2nd o in onorach and on the I in lui.

Thanks @Goneback2school

Well you could say "Is fear onórach anseo ann" but while it's direct, it's also a bit of a puzzling statement to make... like, it's not something we say so it sounds odd to say it.

But that's your mum's call, obviously.

And of course OP, I'm sorry for your loss. 💐

I would also be a bit careful about using "ina luí".

"Here lies" in English always means the person has passed away (even though it isn't explicit in the language); but "ina luí" means "is lying down" which doesn't carry the same implied meaning.

I’m getting the strong feeling that this isn’t an Irish turn of phrase.

Would you have any other suggestions I can gently make to my mother?

@YerWanIsGettinNotions I like your suggestion. Perhaps that will be a good solution.

Another common one is "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam" (his soul is at the right hand of God). It's basically our version of "rest in peace".

Thanks again. Your help is much appreciated. My darling father was such a great man, I want to make this just right.

@YerWanIsGettinNotions

Another common one is "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam" (his soul is at the right hand of God). It's basically our version of "rest in peace".

Yes, this one is often on death announcements. The words dilís (loyal) or uasal (noble) are often added to anam (soul) - eg 'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal'.

I should add that I am also so sorry for your loss OP.

I'm not familiar with Irish language inscriptions on headstones (I live in an English speaking area), but the phrases mentioned above are very commonly used on death notices at least.

Condolences, op.

How about "In ár gcroíthe go deo."
"In our hearts forever."

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis".

This is a lovely phrase. Good suggestion from LizzieAnt.

I like "In ár gcroíthe go deo" too.

Condolences on the loss of your Dad, SprayedWithDettol. It's a lovely idea. Be careful that you get the fadas (accents) right.

Thanks all so much for your input. I had lunch yesterday with my uncle (father’s brother) and we are both thinking that we should have the inscription in English but in an Irish font (to go with the celtic knot on the stone ). We are in England and it would be good for all to be able to read our dedication rather than just one or two people at most.
If my mother is adamant, which is her default 😉, we will certainly be using one of your suggestions upthread.

Many thanks too for your kind words. My DF was a wonderful man and died far too soon. Dementia is so cruel.

I'm glad you are sorting it out OP and my condolences again.

Thank you very much too @IsFuzzyBeagMise. I am absolutely mortified to see I had the fada (the accent) in the wrong place in the word dílis. I don't know how I managed that, my apologies OP. On a headstone it's so important to have everything right! Thanks so much Fuzzy. It's dílis OP, please ignore my earlier spelling upthread

No worries, @LizzieAnt I don't want you feeling mortified. I looked it up to make sure. I'm not that good at Irish, but I have an appreciation for it.

That's also a good idea, SprayedWithDettol. I'd advise not rushing into it too quickly. My mother was going overboard initially with the inscription for my father's stone, she had so many ideas. She thought it about it for a while and it worked out well. She put a line of Irish on the base of the stone, but I wouldn't recommend it as it is obscure. It's from a hymn in Irish by Seán Ó Riada.

That's good advice Fuzzy.