Bhí geimhreadh fionnuar tar éis éirí chun saoil i mBaile Átha Cliath agus bhí dathanna na Nollag fós soiléir ar Shráid Grafton.

A cool winter had come to life in Baile Átha Cliath and the colors of Christmas were still vivid on Sráid Grafton.

Bhí Niamh ag siúl in éineacht le Cormac, a col ceathar, tríd an slua.

Niamh was walking alongside Cormac, her cousin, through the crowd.

Bhí sí an-tógtha leis an atmaisféar; na solas deas lasta ag gliondar i ngach fuinneog.

She was very taken with the atmosphere; the lovely lights shining brightly in every window.

"Tá orainn rud speisialta a fháil do Mhamó," a dúirt sí, súile ar lasadh le dúil.

"We have to find something special for Mamó," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Bhí sí ag iarraidh bronntanas uathúil a thabhairt léi ar ais abhaile chun cuimhne a choinneáil ar a turas.

She wanted to bring a unique gift home with her to keep a memory of her trip.

"Coinnigh socair, Niamh," a deir Cormac ag gáire.

"Keep calm, Niamh," said Cormac laughing.

"Ná bí buartha. Gheobhaimid é."

"Don't worry. We’ll find it."

Bhí aird aintí Niamh dírithe ar na siopaí ildaite ba thaitneamhach, ach ar deireadh, chonaic sí siopa beag ag deireadh an tsráid.

Niamh's attention was fixed on the colorful shops that were so appealing, but eventually, she saw a small shop at the end of the street.

Ballaí adhmaid le hathchóiriú air, bhí sé lán de rudaí cruthaitheacha agus ceirdeanna lámhdhéanta.

With wooden walls newly refurbished, it was full of creative items and handmade crafts.

Gehfaidh siopa ""Bríd's Cnáimhseacra" ainmnithe air.

The shop was named ""Bríd's Cnáimhseacra."

Chuir siad isteach sa siopa áit ar mhothaigh an teas ansin láithreach.

They stepped into the shop where the warmth was immediately felt.

Bhí boladh bog céiriún ag líonadh an aer agus bhí saothair lámh-dhéanta á gcrochadh timpeall.

A soft waxy aroma filled the air and handmade works were hanging around.

"Anois, déarg, is féidir leis an tsiúlóid chlasaiceach seo!" arsa Róisín, an díoltóir suairc agus fáiltúil, ag seoladh isteach.

"Now, take your time, on this classic walk!" said Róisín, the cheerful and welcoming shopkeeper, ushering them in.

"Rómhaith is ea tú ar an lá fuar sin."

"It's so good to have you on such a cold day."

Thosaigh Niamh ag breathnú timpeall, thug sí aird do gach rud: siogairlíní, pendants, pictiúir beaga.

Niamh began to look around, taking note of everything: trinkets, pendants, small pictures.

Ach thúirt sí leis féin.

But she was puzzled.

Bhí rudaí carton domhan uirthi.

She felt overwhelmed by the choice.

Bhí sí ag gáire ach bhí imní ag dul i bhfios ar a croí.

She was smiling, but a sense of anxiety crept into her heart.

"Cad ba chóir dom a roghnú?" a cheap sí.

"What should I choose?" she thought.

"Cad a bhfuil tú ag iarraidh a thabhairt ort, rúná?," a d’fhiafraigh Róisín go cineálta.

"What are you wanting to find, my dear?" Róisín asked kindly.

D’oscail sí comhrá, ag tabhairt léargas ar stair an chultúir.

She opened up a conversation, giving insight into the history of the culture.

Labhair sí faoi chros na Bríde - siombail ádh agus cosaint, go traidisiúnta déanta as tuí.

She spoke about the Brigid's cross - a symbol of luck and protection, traditionally made from straw.

Chonaic Niamh cros ar an gcrann mósach in aice leis an doras.

Niamh saw a cross on the woven stand near the door.

Stán sí air ar feadh nóiméid amháin agus thuig sí gur rud speisialta a bhí ann.

She stared at it for a moment and realized that it was something special.

Mhothaigh sí ceangal aisti féin le sin iróna na hÉireann.

She felt a connection to that piece of Irish heritage.

"Seo é," arsa Niamh go muiníneach le Róisín agus Cormac, beaming.

"This is it," said Niamh confidently to Róisín and Cormac, beaming.

"Seo a chuirfidh áthas ar Mhamó."

"This will bring joy to Mamó."

D’fhág sí an siopa gan aiféala, croí éadrom agus bronntanas álainn i lámh.

She left the shop without regret, a light heart and a beautiful gift in hand.

Bhí sí sásta, rian as a fréamhacha féin a thógáil abhaile.

She was happy to take a piece of her own roots back home.

Bhí blianta as seo, bhí sí cinnte go mbreathnódh sí ar an gcros sin agus chuimhneodh sí ní amháin ar an lá fuar, ach ar a nasc leanúnach le hÉirinn.

Years from now, she was sure that she would look at that cross and remember not just the cold day but her continuous connection to Éire.