Bhí oíche geal, geimhriúil ann.

It was a bright, wintry night.

Bhi brat bán sneachta clúdaithe ar an gceantar bruachbhailteach.

A white blanket of snow covered the suburban area.

Bhí tithe ag glioscarnach sa ghealach, le soilse beagáine sna fuinneoga, agus teolaíocht na lampaí kerosene ag soilsiú go héadrom taobh istigh.

Houses were glistening in the moonlight, with little lights in the windows, and the warmth of kerosene lamps softly illuminating inside.

Bhí Niamh ina suí cois na tine sa bhaile, ag smaoineamh ar na laethanta saoire atá díreach thart.

Niamh was sitting by the fire at home, thinking about the holidays that had just passed.

Bhí Patrick agus Siobhan ina gcodladh go socair nuair a tharla rud éigin gan choinne.

Patrick and Siobhan were sleeping peacefully when something unexpected happened.

Scoir an solas go tobann.

The light suddenly went out.

Dochreidte fuair an teach dorcha agus ciúin.

Incredibly, the house became dark and quiet.

Chuala Niamh an t-aer fuar ag sleamhnú isteach.

Niamh heard the cold air slipping in.

Le linn nóiméad, thuig Niamh go raibh an fhadhb céanna ag tarlú i ngach teach sa cheantar.

Within a moment, Niamh realized the same problem was happening in every house in the area.

Bhí sé riachtanach beart a dhéanamh go tapa.

It was necessary to act quickly.

Bhí a fhios aici go mbeadh gach duine ag brath ar a chéile chun an oíche a mharthain go mb’fhéidir go dtiocfadh an solas ar ais.

She knew that everyone would rely on each other to survive the night until perhaps the light came back on.

Scrúdaigh sí an áiléar agus aimsigh sean-ghléasghineadóir láimhe.

She searched the attic and found an old hand-crank generator.

Ní raibh sí cinnte an oibródh sé.

She wasn't sure if it would work.

Bhí eagla uirthi nach mairfeadh sé ach tamaill ghearr.

She was afraid it would only last a short while.

Ach bhí gá le seans.

But a chance had to be taken.

An am céanna, chuir sí glao ar na comharsana.

At the same time, she called the neighbors.

Ba bheagán ar mhaith le Patrick éirí as a leaba, ach d'aontaigh sé cuidiú.

Patrick was reluctant to get out of bed, but he agreed to help.

Tháinig Siobhan anuas ag caitheamh a geansaí ollmhór.

Siobhan came down wearing her oversized sweater.

D'oscail Patrick an doras le fáilte a chur roimh na comharsana, téipeanna agus lóchrainn acu ina lámha.

Patrick opened the door to welcome the neighbors, who had tapes and lanterns in their hands.

Bhailigh na comharsana le chéile, ag smaoineamh ar phlean Niamh.

The neighbors gathered together, thinking about Niamh's plan.

Bhí an caint idir na daoine geal agus croíúil.

The conversation among the people was bright and cheerful.

Chuir siad na lóchrainn ar taispeáint timpeall an tseomra.

They put the lanterns on display around the room.

Bhí an ghineadóir ag mbrionglóid agus é ag tosú, ag soláthar teas gearrthéarmach.

The generator hummed as it started, providing temporary heat.

Bhí cluas na gcomharsan fógtha go raibh leithéid ag Niamh.

The neighbors had learned that Niamh had such a device.

Agus na huaireanta ag dul thart, tháinig an fuacht isteach go láidir arís.

As the hours passed, the cold came in strongly again.

Bhí an seomra dubh dorcha nuair a thosaigh an gineadóir deireanach ag stopadh.

The room turned pitch dark when the last generator started to stall.

Bhí na súile ar fad ar Niamh, ag brath ar a misneach.

All eyes were on Niamh, relying on her courage.

Ach ansin, cosúil le míorúilt bheag, las na soilse ar ais.

But then, like a little miracle, the lights came back on.

Bhí an teach te agus geal arís.

The house was warm and bright again.

Mhol na comharsana go mór Niamh as a ceannaireacht.

The neighbors praised Niamh greatly for her leadership.

Rinne siad císte beag le chéile chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an scéal sona seo.

They made a small cake together to celebrate this happy ending.

Bhí muinín athnuaite ag Niamh anois ina cuid scileanna, agus thuig sí cumhacht an phobail agus an tacaíochta.

Niamh now had renewed confidence in her skills, and she understood the power of community and support.

Bhí siad ar fad níos cóngaraí dá chéile, níos fearr as le chéile.

They were all closer to each other, better off together.

Mar sin, i bpobal Tír na mBruachbhailteanna, ní raibh siad ach comharsana.

So, in the community of Tír na mBruachbhailteanna, they were not just neighbors.

Bhí siad cairde anois, agus bhí Niamh bródúil as.

They were friends now, and Niamh was proud of that.