I am thinking about including my family motto on a tattoo of my family crest. Thank you in advance for any help received.

Possibly -
Rialú trí freastail

Do you mean specifically serving in the military?

Wait for more input and correction

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It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
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Another attempt:

Rialaigh trí fhónamh "Govern by serving"

I've used the imperative form of the verb rialaigh "govern". Bríd has used the verbal noun rialú. Mine is more literal. Bríd's may make more sense in a motto.

There are a few words for "serving/service" in Irish. (I think it needs to be trí fhreastal, though, doesn't it, a Bhríd?)

Await further input or correction ...

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

That's what I meant, you know my spelling.

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___________________________________________________________

It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
___________________________________________________________

I think from a governing standpoint it would be serving the people. I'm not 100% on the context, but that would be my guess.

Thank you two for your help.