Fluent Fiction - Irish: Facing Shadows: Niamh's Journey Through Uncertainty
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ga/episode/2026-01-06-08-38-20-ga

Story Transcript:

Ga: Bhí an t-aer fuar amuigh cois na sráideanna i mBaile Átha Cliath, gaoth an gheimhridh ag séideadh tríd na crainn.
En: The air was cold outside on the streets of Baile Átha Cliath, the winter wind blowing through the trees.

Ga: I lár an fhuachta, bhí cúinne beag seascair sa chaifé, áit a raibh Niamh ina suí ag tábla coisiúl.
En: In the midst of the cold, there was a cozy little corner in the café, where Niamh was sitting at a nearby table.

Ga: Bhí solas bog ag soilsiú na mbord adhmaid agus boladh caife úr ar fud na háite.
En: A soft light illuminated the wooden tables, and the smell of fresh coffee was all around.

Ga: Thosaigh stealladh báistí ag bualadh ar na fuinneoga, ach bhí sé compordach agus te sa chaifé.
En: A downpour began to tap on the windows, but it was comfortable and warm in the café.

Ga: Ina cónaí sa chathair, bhí Niamh i gcónaí bródúil as a cumas rudaí a láimhseáil.
En: Living in the city, Niamh was always proud of her ability to handle things.

Ga: Ach an lá sin, bhí rud éigin ag cur isteach uirthi.
En: But that day, something was bothering her.

Ga: Bhí litir aici ina lámha - torthaí a cuid tástálacha leighis.
En: She had a letter in her hands - the results of her medical tests.

Ga: Níor dhúirt sí le duine ar bith faoi, ach bhí Ronan agus Siobhán, a cairde is gaire, ag suí léi ag an mbord.
En: She hadn't told anyone about it, but Ronan and Siobhán, her closest friends, were sitting with her at the table.

Ga: “Cén fáth ansin?", a d’fhiafraigh Siobhán, a raibh súile lán brón orthu.
En: “Why then?” asked Siobhán, her eyes full of sadness.

Ga: “Tá mé ag iarraidh an litir seo a oscailt, ach tá imní orm," arsa Niamh go ciúin.
En: “I want to open this letter, but I'm worried,” said Niamh quietly.

Ga: Bhí faitíos roimh an méid a d’fhéadfadh a bheith scríofa ar an bpáipéar istigh.
En: She was scared of what might be written on the paper inside.

Ga: Bhí Ronan ag iarraidh a bheith láidir di.
En: Ronan wanted to be strong for her.

Ga: “Má tá tú ag iarraidh, tá muid anseo leat,” ar sé, ag leagan lámh ar ghualainn Niamh.
En: “If you want, we're here with you,” he said, placing a hand on Niamh's shoulder.

Ga: D’fhéach Niamh ar an litir, croí ag bualtaí go tapa.
En: Niamh looked at the letter, her heart beating fast.

Ga: Chuir sí a cuid smaointe in ord.
En: She collected her thoughts.

Ga: Bhí uirthi aghaidh a thabhairt ar a heagla.
En: She had to face her fears.

Ga: Thóg sí an nóiméad sin san áiléar éagsúil den amuigh.
En: She took that moment in the different atmosphere outside.

Ga: Rinne Niamh oscailt ar an litir go mall.
En: Niamh slowly opened the letter.

Ga: Léigh sí an chéad fhocal le cabhair an chaifé a bhí de dhíth uirthi, an teas, agus na daoine timpeall uirthi.
En: She read the first word with the help of the café, the warmth, and the people around her.

Ga: Bhí na focail soiléir agus ní raibh siad chomh scanrúil sí shíl.
En: The words were clear and not as frightening as she thought.

Ga: Thóg sí anáil mhór isteach, mothú faoiseamh ainneoin an éiginnteacht san ábhar.
En: She took a deep breath, feeling relief despite the uncertainty in the content.

Ga: “Tá sé ceart go leor,” arsa Ronan leis an áthas ina ghlór.
En: “It’s okay,” said Ronan, joy in his voice.

Ga: “Sea,” a d’aontaigh Niamh, mothú nua misnigh istigh inti.
En: “Yes,” agreed Niamh, feeling a new courage inside her.

Ga: “Níl gá a bheith imníoch feasta.”
En: “There’s no need to be anxious anymore.”

Ga: Fuair Niamh amach nach raibh gá aici a bheith foirfe ná laochúil an t-am ar fad.
En: Niamh realized she didn’t need to be perfect or heroic all the time.

Ga: Chonaic sí go raibh neart sa neamhchinnteacht, cosán nua le foghlaim.
En: She saw that there was strength in uncertainty, a new path to learn from.

Ga: Mar a bhí sí ag miongháire ar a cairde, bhí a fhios aici nach raibh sí ina haonar riamh.
En: As she smiled at her friends, she knew she was never alone.

Ga: Spreagfadh an tiomantas sin í do chur suas le gach cinneadh, cinneadh tar éis cinnt, bealach tar éis bealach.
En: That commitment would inspire her to face every decision, one after another, path after path.

Ga: Bhí an gheimhreadh ann, ach níor mhothaigh a croí ar an gcaoi sin.
En: Winter was there, but her heart didn’t feel that way.

Ga: Bhí sé lán solais, teasa, agus dóchais nua.
En: It was full of light, warmth, and new hope.

Ga: Is iomaí eachtra i gcomhluadar a comhaltaí a bhí rompu fós.
En: Many adventures with her companions lay ahead.


Vocabulary Words:

• cozy: seascair
• illuminated: soilsiú
• downpour: stealladh báistí
• handle: láimhseáil
• bothering: ag cur isteach
• medical tests: tástálacha leighis
• courage: misnigh
• uncertainty: éiginnteacht
• heroic: laochúil
• commitment: tiomantas
• adventures: eachtra
• companions: comhaltaí
• anxious: imníoch
• relief: faoiseamh
• inspire: spreagfadh
• praised: bródúil
• nearby: coisiúl
• frightening: scanrúil
• decision: cinneadh
• path: cosán
• fears: eagla
• strength: neart
• perfect: foirfe
• light: sólás
• cold: fuar
• handle: láimhseáil
• content: ábhar
• ordinary: gnáth
• atmosphere: áile
• opportunity: deis