Fluent Fiction - Irish: Votes & Voices: A Chance Encounter in Baile Átha Cliath
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ga/episode/2025-11-01-07-38-20-ga

Story Transcript:

Ga: Bhí gaoith fuar ag séideadh tríd Bhaile Átha Cliath.
En: There was a cold wind blowing through Baile Átha Cliath.

Ga: Bhí na crainn ag cailleadh a nduilleoga donn agus órga.
En: The trees were losing their brown and golden leaves.

Ga: Bhí imeachtaí an Oíche Shamhna ar siúl, cé go raibh áthas ar gach duine vótáil.
En: The events of Halloween were ongoing, even though everyone was happy to vote.

Ga: Lasmuigh de lárionad pobail, bhí an t-atmaisféar beo.
En: Outside the community center, the atmosphere was lively.

Ga: Bhí bratacha ag luascadh agus póstaeir thart ar an áit.
En: Flags were waving and posters were around the place.

Ga: Bhí scuaine fhada ag foirmiú, vótóirí ag miongháire agus ag comhrá faoina bpleananna.
En: A long queue was forming, with voters smiling and chatting about their plans.

Ga: San áit sin, sheas beirt - Aisling agus Ciaran.
En: In that spot, two people stood - Aisling and Ciaran.

Ga: Bhí Aisling óg, bríomhar agus lán fuinnimh.
En: Aisling was young, lively, and full of energy.

Ga: Bhí súil aici go mbeadh sí in ann teagmháil a dhéanamh le duine eolach agus spéisiúil.
En: She hoped she would be able to connect with someone knowledgeable and interesting.

Ga: In aice léi bhí Ciaran, fear staidéarach le suim iontach sa pholaitíocht agus i gcúrsaí pobail.
En: Next to her was Ciaran, a steady man with a great interest in politics and community matters.

Ga: Thaitin le Ciaran daoine a mhealladh le comhrá agus éisteacht lena dtuairimí.
En: Ciaran enjoyed engaging people in conversation and listening to their opinions.

Ga: Bhí an líne ag bogadh go mall.
En: The line was moving slowly.

Ga: D’éirigh as seo go maith do Aisling.
En: This suited Aisling well.

Ga: Thosaigh sí ag smaoineamh ar conas comhrá a thosú le Ciaran.
En: She began to think about how to start a conversation with Ciaran.

Ga: Bhí sí cúthail ar dtús, ach mheabhraigh sí di féin go raibh sé fiúntach triail a bhaint as.
En: She was shy at first, but she reminded herself that it was worthwhile to give it a try.

Ga: "Anois, aimsir iontach, nach ea?
En: "Lovely weather, isn't it?"

Ga: " a dúirt sí go tobann.
En: she said suddenly.

Ga: Bhí iontas ar Ciaran, ach rinne sé gáire.
En: Ciaran was surprised but smiled.

Ga: "Is ea, tá sé fuar ach álainn.
En: "Yes, it's cold but beautiful.

Ga: An bhfuil tú ag tnúth le vótáil?
En: Are you looking forward to voting?"

Ga: " arsa sé.
En: he said.

Ga: Chlaon Aisling a ceann.
En: Aisling nodded.

Ga: "Sea.
En: "Yes.

Ga: Tá mé an-paiseanta faoi.
En: I'm very passionate about it.

Ga: Is deis é a nglór a chur in iúl.
En: It's an opportunity to express a voice.

Ga: Agus tú féin?
En: And you?"

Ga: "Chlaon Ciaran a cheann go curánta.
En: Ciaran nodded thoughtfully.

Ga: "Is é sin an rud a spreagann me… an pobal agus an deis rud éigin dearfach a chruthú.
En: "That's what drives me... the community and the opportunity to create something positive."

Ga: "Ag an nóiméad sin, thuig Aisling agus Ciaran go raibh síos tuiscint dhlúth nó b'fhéidir peirspictíochtaí comhchosúla acu.
En: At that moment, Aisling and Ciaran realized they shared a deep understanding or perhaps similar perspectives.

Ga: Thosaigh an comhrá ag sruthú agus rinneadh smaointe a roinnt idir na beirt.
En: The conversation began to flow, and ideas were exchanged between the two.

Ga: Níor thugadar leo an tslí ama ag imeacht.
En: They didn't notice the time passing.

Ga: Bhí siad araon sáite sa chomhrá.
En: They were both engrossed in the conversation.

Ga: Dúirt Aisling go gcuirfeadh sí áthas uirthi leanúint ar aghaidh ag plé rudaí dá mbeadh siad in ann bualadh arís.
En: Aisling said she'd be delighted to continue discussing things if they could meet again.

Ga: Bhí Ciaran ar aon intinn.
En: Ciaran agreed.

Ga: Bhí an scuaine ag gluaiseacht ar aghaidh áfach, agus bhí ar Aisling dul ar aghaidh chun vóta a chaitheamh.
En: The queue was moving on, however, and Aisling had to go ahead to cast her vote.

Ga: Roimhe sin, mhalartaigh siad uimhreacha, ag tabhairt gealltanais ar chaife sa todhchaí.
En: Before that, they exchanged numbers, promising to meet for coffee in the future.

Ga: Bhí meangadh mór ar aghaidh Aisling, ag tuiscint go raibh sí céim níos cóngaraí do phobal nua.
En: A big smile was on Aisling’s face, understanding she was a step closer to a new community.

Ga: Agus í ag imeacht, d'fhéach Aisling siar go ciúin ar Ciaran.
En: As she left, Aisling looked back quietly at Ciaran.

Ga: Bhí mothú dóchais nua ina croí di.
En: A feeling of new hope was in her heart.

Ga: Chabhraigh an lá sa lárionad vótála le céim suntasach eile a ghlacadh isteach ina saol agus ina pobal.
En: The day at the voting center helped her take another significant step into her life and community.

Ga: Mothaíodh Aisling níos gaire dona daoine a roinn a tuairimí agus a cuid paisean.
En: Aisling felt closer to those who shared her views and passions.

Ga: Trí intention mhaith agus misneach beag, bhain siad caidreamh dearfach amach i measc an torainn.
En: Through good intentions and a little courage, they achieved a positive connection amidst the noise.

Ga: Bhí Samhain ann agus timpiste áthasach tar éis tarlú.
En: It was Samhain, and a happy accident had occurred.

Ga: Deireadh an scéil.
En: The end.


Vocabulary Words:

• blowing: séideadh
• leaves: duilleoga
• ongoing: ar siúl
• atmosphere: atmaisféar
• queue: scuaine
• lively: bríomhar
• knowledgeable: eolach
• steady: staidéarach
• engaging: mealladh
• suitable: oiriúnach
• shy: cúthail
• worthwhile: fiúntach
• passionate: paiseanta
• opportunity: deis
• perspectives: peirspictíochtaí
• engrossed: sáite
• exchange: malartú
• promising: ag tabhairt gealltanais
• delighted: áthas
• step: chéim
• quietly: go ciúin
• significant: suntasach
• good intentions: intention mhaith
• courage: misneach
• achieving: bhain
• amidst: i measc
• noise: torainn
• accident: timpiste
• occured: tar éis tarlú
• understanding: tuiscint