Fluent Fiction - Irish: Finding Freedom at Gleann Dá Loch: A Winter's Awakening
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ga/episode/2025-12-08-08-38-19-ga

Story Transcript:

Ga: Bhí ceo éadrom ag clúdach Gleann Dá Loch ar mhaidin amháin sa gheimhreadh, an ghaoth ag séideadh go réidh os cionn na gcrann.
En: A light mist was covering Gleann Dá Loch on one winter morning, the wind gently blowing over the trees.

Ga: Bhí sé ciúin agus síochánta, ach fuaire an oighir i ngach coirnéal den áit.
En: It was quiet and peaceful, but the chill of ice was in every corner of the place.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán agus Pádraig ag siúl chomh maith, a gcroíthe trom le machnamh agus imní.
En: Siobhán and Pádraig were walking along as well, their hearts heavy with contemplation and worry.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán ag smaoineamh faoina slí bheatha agus an bhrú nach mór di dul i ngleic leis.
En: Siobhán was thinking about her career and the pressure she must deal with.

Ga: Tá sí ag barr réimse ina gairm, ach mothaíonn sí mar nach bhfuil sí comhlíonta.
En: She is at the top of her field, but she feels unfulfilled.

Ga: Bhí an Nollaig ag teannadh isteach, ag meabhrú na dúile agus na hoibre a bhí roimpi.
En: Christmas was approaching, reminding her of the obligations and work ahead of her.

Ga: "An bhfuilim ar an mbóthar ceart?
En: "Am I on the right path?"

Ga: " a cheap sí.
En: she thought.

Ga: Thug sí faoi deara conas a splanc sé os cionn dhealbh cloiche Naomh Caoimhín, mar a raibh siad ag stad.
En: She noticed how it gleamed over the stone statue of Naomh Caoimhín where they were stopping.

Ga: Padraig, caidreamach agus gealgháireach i gcónaí, bhi fadhbanna aige féin lena theaghlach.
En: Pádraig, always sociable and cheerful, had his own problems with his family.

Ga: Tá tuairimí láidre acu.
En: They have strong opinions.

Ga: Ba mhaith leis a bheith ina thraenálaí sacair.
En: He wants to be a soccer coach.

Ga: Ach ní fheictear sin ró-mhaith leis na seanphobal.
En: But that's not seen as very desirable by the older generation.

Ga: Bhí brú mhór air freisin, ach níor lig sé air.
En: He was under a lot of pressure too, but he didn't let it show.

Ga: "Nár mhaith leat sin a dhéanamh?
En: "Wouldn't you like to do that?"

Ga: " d'fhiafraigh sé di, agus iad ag coimhéad ar a chéile le fiosracht agus tacaíocht.
En: he asked her, as they looked at each other with curiosity and support.

Ga: Bhí siad anois ag siúl go dtí an Loch Uachtair, áilleacht nádúrtha ag lonrú faoin oighear.
En: They were now walking towards an Loch Uachtair, natural beauty shining under the ice.

Ga: Gan focal eile, tusaíocht nádúra na háite ag cur le machnamh Siobhán.
En: Without another word, the nature of the place added to Siobhán's reflection.

Ga: Tháinig siad go dtí tír atá suite agaibh ag imeall an locha.
En: They came to a land situated at the edge of the lake.

Ga: Stop Siobhan ansin.
En: Siobhán stopped there.

Ga: D'fhéach sí aimsir an locha, agus ansin isteach ina hanam ise féin.
En: She looked at the weather of the lake, and then into her own soul.

Ga: "Léiríonn sé dom go bhfuil rud éigin níos tábhachtaí ná cad a cheapann daoine eile.
En: "It shows me that there's something more important than what other people think.

Ga: Is gá domsa mo bhóthar féin a chruthú arís," a dúirt sí go socair le Padraig, mothú meáchain ag ardú dá gualainn.
En: I need to find my own path again," she said calmly to Pádraig, feeling the weight lifting from her shoulders.

Ga: Cibé rud a tharlóidh, bhí sí breá sásta anois a bheith dílis di féin.
En: No matter what happens, she was happy now to be true to herself.

Ga: "Smaoineamh maith é, a Shiobhán.
En: "That's a good thought, Siobhán.

Ga: Ní mór duit dílseacht a thabhairt duit féin.
En: You must give loyalty to yourself.

Ga: Is féidir linn ár mbealach a dhéanamh lenár ndúthracht féin," arsa Padraig, gáire mór air.
En: We can make our way with our own dedication," said Pádraig, with a big smile.

Ga: Agus sin mar a sheasadar ann, na deora reatha deireanach ag paistí a gcroí.
En: And so they stood there, the last running tears patching their hearts.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán cinnte anois, ní amháin faoin todhchaí ach faoin mbealach chun na todhchaí.
En: Siobhán was sure now, not only about the future but about the way to the future.

Ga: Ní raibh aon eagla uirthi a thuilleadh.
En: She was no longer afraid.

Ga: Bhí sí réidh le saoirse nua a chruthú.
En: She was ready to create a new freedom.

Ga: An Séasúr Nollag ag teach isteach lena thús nua.
En: The Christmas season was coming in with its new beginning.

Ga: Le sin, d'fhág siad an loch taobh thiar dóibh, mar bhí a dtreó nua cruthaithe go feiliúnach, an saol mar dhóchas a bhí rompu.
En: With that, they left the lake behind them, as their new direction was suitably formed, life as a hope ahead of them.

Ga: Agus ní raibh siad in aon mhoill leis na céimeanna beaga a ghlacadh, na hairíonna áille a mheas, agus iad ag dul ar aghaidh le chéile, de bharr a neart agus muinín nua fuarta.
En: And they were in no hurry to take the small steps, appreciating the beautiful signs, and moving forward together, thanks to their strength and newfound confidence.


Vocabulary Words:

• mist: ceo
• gleamed: splanc
• contemplation: machnamh
• pressure: brú
• unfulfilled: comhlíonta
• obligations: dúile
• faithful: dílis
• sociable: caidreamach
• cheerful: gealgháireach
• opinions: tuairimí
• desirable: ró-mhaith
• curiosity: fiosracht
• natural: nádúrtha
• reflection: machnamh
• dedication: dúthracht
• calmly: go socair
• loyalty: dílseacht
• harbor: paistí
• soul: anam
• tears: deora
• freedom: saoirse
• direction: treó
• hope: dóchas
• appreciating: a mheas
• confidence: muinín
• peaceful: síochánta
• desire: dúil
• problems: fadhbanna
• statue: dealbh
• obstacle: constaic