Bhí sé i lár an gheimhridh i gConamara.

It was the middle of winter in Conamara.

An ghaoth ag séideadh go láidir, ag síneadh os cionn na dtithe cloiche.

The wind was blowing strongly, stretching over the stone houses.

Ar aghaidh láithreach, bhí an teach mór cluthar, áit a d'ullmhaigh Cillian an teach le haghaidh ceiliúradh speisialta.

Ahead, there was the large cozy house where Cillian was preparing the house for a special celebration.

Ba é Nollaig na mBan í—lá chun mná na tíre a cheiliúradh agus a onóir a thabhairt.

It was Nollaig na mBan—a day to celebrate the women of the country and honor them.

Ó tháinig an lá, bheadh tráchtaireacht mhaith uaidh, ag déanamh cinnte go raibh gach rud ag rith go réidh.

Since the day had arrived, he wanted everything to run smoothly.

Bhí Cillian neirbhíseach.

Cillian was nervous.

Bhí sé pósta le déanaí le Aoife, bean álainn agus eagnaí.

He had recently married Aoife, a beautiful and wise woman.

Bhí sé ag iarraidh a chruthú do gach duine, agus dó féin, go bhféadfadh sé tábhacht an lae a dhéanamh.

He wanted to prove to everyone, and to himself, that he could uphold the importance of the day.

Bhí a mháthair tar éis a fháil báis cúpla bliain ó shin, agus bhí súile na muintire ar Cillian chun an traidisiún seo a choimeád beo.

His mother had passed away a few years ago, and the eyes of the family were on Cillian to keep this tradition alive.

Bhí Declan, a uncail, an-traidisiúnta agus ní raibh sé i gcónaí sásta le hathruithe.

Declan, his uncle, was very traditional and was not always happy with changes.

Le cuidiú ó Aoife, thosaigh Cillian ag glanadh agus ag cur ord ar an teach.

With the help of Aoife, Cillian started cleaning and organizing the house.

Rinne siad cinnte go raibh cistineach mór lán le bia blasta—arán donn, cáca milis, agus anraith te.

They made sure the large kitchen was full of tasty food—brown bread, sweet cake, and hot soup.

Thug Aoife airgeadóir ar na réalta leis na mná agus chuir sí i gcuimhne dó go raibh an lá faoin gceiliúradh, ní na pleananna.

Aoife reminded him of the stars shining with the women and reminded him that the day was about celebration, not about the plans.

Nuair a shroich an teaghlach, tháinig an fuinneamh isteach leis an ghaoth fhuar.

When the family arrived, energy came in with the cold wind.

Bhí fonn agus agallamh acu uilig, agus d'amharc Declan ar gach toirt.

They all had joy and conversation, and Declan watching every moment.

“Cillian, cuimhnigh go bhfuil traidisiún ann,” arsa Declan, agus fuarchúiseach fianaise ar a bhealach.

“Cillian, remember there is tradition here,” said Declan, with cold evidence in his manner.

“Tá a fhios agam, ach b’fhéidir gur b’fhearr dúinn triail a bhaint as rud nua? Mar, comórtas amhrán nó rince,” d’fhiafraigh Cillian go cúthail.

“I know, but maybe we should try something new? Like, a song or dance competition,” asked Cillian shyly.

Bhí amhras i ngach coirnéal den seomra, ach d’eagraigh Cillian am agus spás do dheasghnátha an lae.

Doubt filled every corner of the room, but Cillian organized time and space for the day's rituals.

Tháinig Aoife chun cinn, ag rá: “Bhí a chuimhní sa bhéile, agus sa scéalta seo.

Aoife spoke up, saying: “It's the memories in the meal and in these stories.

Is é an rud is tábhachtaí ná ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an tábhacht atá ag mná sa saol seo.”

The most important thing is to celebrate the significance of women in this life.”

De réir a chéile, thug an bord aird dóibh.

Gradually, the table began to pay attention.

Bhí an cosán a bhí ag síneadh thart ar a stór beag dul céilí ceoil, ag cur ceol sa gcaitheamh.

The path stretching around the small gathering started a music session, adding music to the occasion.

Mar a chuaigh an oíche ar aghaidh, tháinig grinn an rince, an canadh, agus an gáire mór.

As the night went on, the joy of dancing, singing, and laughter took over.

Rinne Cillian agus Aoife iad féin calma.

Cillian and Aoife calmed themselves.

Bhain siad taitneamh as an gcomhluadar agus ghlac siad leis an muinín nua.

They enjoyed the company and embraced the newfound confidence.

Faoina dheireadh, ar bhonn cúil, thug Declan nod beagán ó Aoife.

In the end, quietly, Declan gave a slight nod to Aoife.

Thug sé cúpla focal ar Cillian, deas:

He offered a few kind words to Cillian:

“Tá sé ann, tá tú mar dílis cosúil le do mháthair. Cinnte.”

“You've got it, you're as loyal as your mother. Definitely.”

Bhí an t-oíche lán de scéalta, ceoil agus grá.

The night was full of stories, music, and love.

Cibé teach nua nó seanbhealach a thógfar amach anseo, bhí athrú dearfach ann.

Whether a new house or an old way would emerge in the future, there was a positive change.

Bhí muinín ag fás i gcroí Cillian maidir lena oidhreacht agus a thodhchaí sa chlann.

Confidence grew in Cillian's heart about his heritage and his future in the family.

Bhí lá breá de Nollaig na mBan acu i gConamara, agus ní dhéanfaí dearmad go deo air.

They had a wonderful day of Nollaig na mBan in Conamara, and it would never be forgotten.