I lár na sráideanna i nGaillimh, bhí néalta dorcha ag bailiú os cionn na cathrach.

In the middle of the streets in Gaillimh, dark clouds were gathering over the city.

Bhí na duilleoga órga ag titim timpeall ar Niamh agus í ag siúl go ciúin, a bróga ag crónán ar an gcarranach fliuch.

The golden leaves were falling around Niamh as she walked quietly, her shoes making a sound on the wet pavement.

Oíche Oíche Shamhna a bhí ann, agus bhí atmaisféar draíochtúil san aer.

It was Halloween night, and there was a magical atmosphere in the air.

Bhí a folt ag séideadh sa ghaoth, Niamh ag smaoineamh ar a brionglóid aisteach dul ar turas mór go dtí an Nua-Shéalainn.

Her hair was blowing in the wind, as Niamh thought about her strange dream of going on a great journey to New Zealand.

Ach bhí airgead gann, agus gan airgead ní bheadh slí éalaithe aici óna saol laethúil.

But money was scarce, and without it, she wouldn't have a way to escape her daily life.

Go tobann, chuala sí torann ar leith ó bhun an bhothar.

Suddenly, she heard a distinctive noise at the end of the road.

Bhí doras beag ceithre thaobh ag bun staighre iarainn.

There was a small four-sided door at the bottom of an iron staircase.

D'oscail sé, ag scaoileadh solas buí isteach ar an mbóthar dorcha.

It opened, releasing yellow light onto the dark road.

Cheap sí gur chuala sí gáire guthanna chomh maith.

She thought she heard laughter and voices too.

Bhí iontas uirthi, ach bhí fiosracht aici.

She was surprised, but she was curious.

Rinne sí a bhealach síos an staighre creathach.

She made her way down the creaky stairs.

Fuair sí í féin i seomra beag le ceithre balla.

She found herself in a small room with four walls.

Bhí boladh ag baint leis an seomra de thoitíní agus d'fhíon.

The room smelled of cigarettes and wine.

Bhí gnáthairde mhórthábla ann, le himreoirí ag seasamh timpeall air ag imirt bothair ard-riosca.

There was a regular-sized big table, with players standing around it playing a high-stakes game.

Bhí anómh do Niamh, Seamus, ag caitheamh a hata mór.

Seamus, a friend of Niamh's, was wearing his big hat.

Bhí Aoife ann freisin, a súile ghéar ag faire gach duine.

Aoife was there too, her sharp eyes watching everyone.

Ach bhí sé le feiceáil go raibh na himreoirí eile ann faoi radair.

But it was clear the other players were under the radar.

Niamh, áfach, bhí rud ar leith aici.

However, Niamh had something special.

Bhí sí fuciúil i léamh gothaí aghaidhe daoine.

She was adept at reading people's facial expressions.

Bhí sin a talann rúnda.

That was her secret talent.

Thóg sí a suíomh ag an tábla gan a bheith buartha.

She took her position at the table without worry.

Dúirt sí léi féin go bhféadfadh sí an cluiche seo a buachan.

She told herself she could win this game.

Agus in ainm Dé, dá bhfaigheadh sí an pota, bheadh sí ar a bealach chun na Nua-Shéalainne.

And by God, if she got the pot, she would be on her way to New Zealand.

Bhí an cluiche dian.

The game was intense.

Bhí a n-aird ins an aer mar chruinnigh na himreoirí scil.

Everyone's attention was in the air as the players honed their skill.

Ach bhí Niamh socair, ag ligint do na gothaí aghaidhe a bheith mar a treoraí.

But Niamh was calm, letting the facial expressions be her guide.

Bhí Seamus ar a hoireann, ag jarraíl tuairimí fásta a rinne na himreoirí eile a mhealladh.

Seamus was on her side, throwing out strategic comments that distracted the other players.

Ach Niamh, d'fhan sí fós.

But Niamh remained steadfast.

Bhí sí ag fulaingt.

She was enduring.

Sa deireadh, tháinig nóiméad criticiúil.

In the end, a critical moment came.

Chuir siad na cártaí amach don babhta deireanach.

They laid out the cards for the final round.

Chun tosaigh, d'fhéach Seamus go dúshlánach ar Niamh.

Seamus looked challengingly at Niamh.

Smaoinigh sé gur léir go raibh lámh láidir aige.

He thought it was clear he had a strong hand.

D'fhéach Niamh isteach ina shúile.

Niamh looked into his eyes.

Bhí focal nach gcaith sí a ligean uirthi féin a úsáideadh le Seamus.

There was a word she did not let herself use with Seamus.

Bhí comhartha beag ann ina gháire, comhartha nach raibh leochaileach ná le feiceáil ag duine ar bith eile.

There was a slight sign in his smile, a sign not fragile nor visible to anyone else.

"Tá mé isteach go hiomlán," a dúirt sí, ag cur a fichille uirthi féin, a lámh ag crith.

"I'm all in," she said, going all in herself, her hand trembling.

Bhí na súile ar an tábla ar an scéal.

All eyes at the table were on the situation.

Thángthas chun solais ainm an bhuaiteora.

The winner's name came to light.

Bhí gealta uirthi, ach ba mhór an staidear an toradh.

She was excited, but the result was a great study.

Míol mór na bpáirtithe sin, Niamh, a bhuaigh.

The whale of those parties, Niamh, had won.

Rinne sí gáire go hóg, brionglóid dá cuid féin á comhlíonadh finally.

She laughed young, a dream of hers finally being fulfilled.

D'fhéach na súile na n-imreoirí uirthi le háthas agus le iontas.

The eyes of the players looked at her with happiness and astonishment.

Bhí sí tar éis a chruthú dóibh agus di féin gur fiú brionglóid a leanúint.

She had proven to them and to herself that it is worth following a dream.

Gan dabht, bhí an lá sin i nGaillimh an chéad chéim i dtreo na slí.

Without a doubt, that day in Gaillimh was the first step towards the path.

Bhí a scileanna í so-bhainte ar bith ach a mhuinín nua iarmhairt cheart chun taisteal a dhéanamh.

Her skills were undeniably tangible but her newfound confidence was the right outcome to make travel happen.

D'fhág Niamh an seomra lán de mhisneach mar bhí a taisteal chun na Nua-Shéalainne anois uirthi.

Niamh left the room full of courage as her journey to New Zealand was now before her.

Agus an samhradh ag druidim chucu féin, bhí an domhan ar fad síos léi.

And with the summer drawing near, the whole world was hers to explore.