From Gaillimh's Shadows to New Zealand's Shores: Niamh's Gamble

Fluent Fiction - Irish: From Gaillimh's Shadows to New Zealand's Shores: Niamh's Gamble
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Story Transcript:

Ga: I lár na sráideanna i nGaillimh, bhí néalta dorcha ag bailiú os cionn na cathrach.
En: In the middle of the streets in Gaillimh, dark clouds were gathering over the city.

Ga: Bhí na duilleoga órga ag titim timpeall ar Niamh agus í ag siúl go ciúin, a bróga ag crónán ar an gcarranach fliuch.
En: The golden leaves were falling around Niamh as she walked quietly, her shoes making a sound on the wet pavement.

Ga: Oíche Oíche Shamhna a bhí ann, agus bhí atmaisféar draíochtúil san aer.
En: It was Halloween night, and there was a magical atmosphere in the air.

Ga: Bhí a folt ag séideadh sa ghaoth, Niamh ag smaoineamh ar a brionglóid aisteach dul ar turas mór go dtí an Nua-Shéalainn.
En: Her hair was blowing in the wind, as Niamh thought about her strange dream of going on a great journey to New Zealand.

Ga: Ach bhí airgead gann, agus gan airgead ní bheadh slí éalaithe aici óna saol laethúil.
En: But money was scarce, and without it, she wouldn't have a way to escape her daily life.

Ga: Go tobann, chuala sí torann ar leith ó bhun an bhothar.
En: Suddenly, she heard a distinctive noise at the end of the road.

Ga: Bhí doras beag ceithre thaobh ag bun staighre iarainn.
En: There was a small four-sided door at the bottom of an iron staircase.

Ga: D'oscail sé, ag scaoileadh solas buí isteach ar an mbóthar dorcha.
En: It opened, releasing yellow light onto the dark road.

Ga: Cheap sí gur chuala sí gáire guthanna chomh maith.
En: She thought she heard laughter and voices too.

Ga: Bhí iontas uirthi, ach bhí fiosracht aici.
En: She was surprised, but she was curious.

Ga: Rinne sí a bhealach síos an staighre creathach.
En: She made her way down the creaky stairs.

Ga: Fuair sí í féin i seomra beag le ceithre balla.
En: She found herself in a small room with four walls.

Ga: Bhí boladh ag baint leis an seomra de thoitíní agus d'fhíon.
En: The room smelled of cigarettes and wine.

Ga: Bhí gnáthairde mhórthábla ann, le himreoirí ag seasamh timpeall air ag imirt bothair ard-riosca.
En: There was a regular-sized big table, with players standing around it playing a high-stakes game.

Ga: Bhí anómh do Niamh, Seamus, ag caitheamh a hata mór.
En: Seamus, a friend of Niamh's, was wearing his big hat.

Ga: Bhí Aoife ann freisin, a súile ghéar ag faire gach duine.
En: Aoife was there too, her sharp eyes watching everyone.

Ga: Ach bhí sé le feiceáil go raibh na himreoirí eile ann faoi radair.
En: But it was clear the other players were under the radar.

Ga: Niamh, áfach, bhí rud ar leith aici.
En: However, Niamh had something special.

Ga: Bhí sí fuciúil i léamh gothaí aghaidhe daoine.
En: She was adept at reading people's facial expressions.

Ga: Bhí sin a talann rúnda.
En: That was her secret talent.

Ga: Thóg sí a suíomh ag an tábla gan a bheith buartha.
En: She took her position at the table without worry.

Ga: Dúirt sí léi féin go bhféadfadh sí an cluiche seo a buachan.
En: She told herself she could win this game.

Ga: Agus in ainm Dé, dá bhfaigheadh sí an pota, bheadh sí ar a bealach chun na Nua-Shéalainne.
En: And by God, if she got the pot, she would be on her way to New Zealand.

Ga: Bhí an cluiche dian.
En: The game was intense.

Ga: Bhí a...