A Day in St. Stephen’s Green: Finding Courage in Dublin’s Heart

In this episode, we'll explore a sunny Dublin day where sibling support and the beauty of a garden inspire a young woman's courageous step into her academic future.

Ga: I lár an tsamhraidh i mBaile Átha Cliath, bhí an ghrian ard sa spéir, ag soilsiú ar an ngairdín álainn St. Stephen’s Green.
En: In the middle of summer in Dublin, the sun was high in the sky, shining on the beautiful garden of St. Stephen’s Green.

Ga: Bhí an phluid de bhláthanna geala ag damhsa leis an ngaoth.
En: The blanket of bright flowers danced with the wind.

Ga: Suigh i lár an gairdín seo, bhí Siobhán agus Eamon.
En: Sitting in the center of this garden were Siobhán and Eamon.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán ciúin, a intinn tochap dieana rudaí dá céad téarma ag an ollscoil.
En: Siobhán was quiet, her mind buzzing with thoughts about her first term at university.

Ga: Bhí a lán ábhar aici ina hintinn agus bhí imní uirthi.
En: She had a lot on her mind and felt anxious.

Ga: Bhí sí ag streachailt idir excitement agus eagla.
En: She was struggling between excitement and fear.

Ga: Eamon, a deartháir níos óige, bhí thíos staighre sa saíocht.
En: Eamon, her younger brother, was laid-back in nature.

Ga: Bhí sé mar scáthánúil eile, gan cúram sa domhan.
En: He was like a mirror opposite, carefree in the world.

Ga: Ní raibh sé cráite leis na smaointe céanna, ach bhí an-chion aige ar Siobhán agus theastaigh uaidh í a thacú.
En: He wasn't troubled by the same thoughts, but he was very fond of Siobhán and wanted to support her.

Ga: Is maith le Siobhán agus Eamon a siúl timpeall St. Stephen’s Green.
En: Siobhán and Eamon like to walk around St. Stephen’s Green.

Ga: Daoine amuigh ag roinnt sceitsí taitneamhacha, ag siúl, ag ithe uachtar reoite.
En: People outside were sharing pleasant moments, walking, eating ice cream.

Ga: In aice le abhainn bheag, shuigh an bheirt faoin daraom mhór.
En: Next to a small river, the two sat under a large tree.

Ga: Thosaigh Siobhán ag labhairt go ciúin.
En: Siobhán began to speak quietly.

Ga: "Eamon," a dúirt sí, "bíonn sé deacair orm idir rudaí a phiocadh—cad atá ceart dom chun na hollscoile? An mbeidh mé rómhall?"
En: "Eamon," she said, "it's hard for me to choose things—what is right for me for college? Will I be too late?"

Ga: D'fhéach Eamon isteach sa spéir.
En: Eamon looked up into the sky.

Ga: "Siobhán, is maith a fhios go mbíonn imní ort.
En: "Siobhán, it's okay that you're worried.

Ga: Ach féach orm— níl an freagra agam i gcónaí.
En: But look at me—I don't always have the answer.

Ga: Sin gach rud.
En: That's all.

Ga: Athrú maith é.
En: It's a good change.

Ga: Lig dom beagán spraoi a chur leis, cosúil leis an ngaoth sa gairdín seo."
En: Let me add a bit of fun, like the wind in this garden."

Ga: Bhí gliondar i bhfocail Eamon, iomas ar nós lampa sa dorchadas.
En: Eamon's words had a brightness to them, like a lamp in the darkness.

Ga: D'úsáid sé focail dathúla chun a laige ceart a thaispeáint agus bhí gáire ag Siobhán den chéad uair an lá sin.
En: He used colorful words to show his true vulnerability, and Siobhán laughed for the first time that day.

Ga: Bhraith sí an faoiseamh.
En: She felt relief.

Ga: "Tá fírinne sa mhodh atá agat," d'fhreagair sí, "nach gá a fhiosrú gach rud roimh ré."
En: "There is truth in your way," she replied, "that not everything needs to be figured out in advance."

Ga: Críochnaíonn an lá le lúcháir sa ngairdín smúntais.
En: The day ended with joy in the green sanctuary.

Ga: An faoiseamh imní o Siobhán, an chniotáil in ina bolg, imithe le gaoth marbhánta siúl.
En: Siobhán's anxious tightness in her stomach vanished with the gentle breeze.

Ga: D'ardaigh siad as an ngairdín, ar ais sa chathair, ag mothú ní amháin níos gaire dá chéile ach níos gaire dá dtréithe inspioráideacha is nuálaí.
En: They rose from the garden, back into the city, feeling not only closer to each other but also closer to their most inspiring and innovative selves.

Ga: Agus, sa chaoi sin, bhí Siobhán toilteanach aghaidh a thabhairt ar an ollscoil le misneach imeartha.
En: And, in that way, Siobhán was ready to face university with newfound courage.