Is faoi sholas na n-reann a thosaigh an turas.

It was under the light of the stars that the journey began.

Bhí an Nollaig chomh gar is a bhí an sneachta ar an talamh, agus bhí an geimhreadh ag scuabadh ar fud na tuaithe.

Christmas was as close as the snow on the ground, and winter was sweeping across the countryside.

Bhí Maeve ag féachaint amach ar na bóithre sneachta ina stáisiún beag, an teach seanbhunaithe a bhí mar ionad vótála do na sráidbhailte beaga i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Maeve was looking out at the snowy roads from her little station, the old-established building that served as the polling place for the small villages in Northern Ireland.

Bhí na maisiúcháin Nollag ag glioscarnach i bhfianaise na sráide, ach beag beann orthu, bhí rud éigin i bhfad níos tábhachtaí i gcuimhne.

The Christmas decorations were sparkling in the light of the street, but regardless of them, something much more important was on her mind.

Bhí sé ina am chinniúnach don phobal, ach ba é an fhadhb is mó ná tuiscint na nduine mar gheall ar an vótáil.

It was a critical time for the community, but the biggest issue was people's understanding of the voting.

Bhí an-leadrán ar muintir na háite maidir le polaitíocht, agus ba bheag a bhí suim acu sna hathruithe a bhí Maeve ag iarraidh a thabhairt i gcrích.

The locals were very bored with politics, and they had little interest in the changes Maeve was trying to bring about.

Ach níor stad sí sin; bhí sí lán de dhúthracht agus fuinneamh, ag iarraidh a muintir a chur i gcaoi faoin tábhacht a bhí ag a nguth.

But that didn't stop her; she was full of determination and energy, trying to organize her people around the importance of their voice.

Sheas Ronan, a cara dílis, ag a taobh.

Ronan, her loyal friend, stood by her side.

Bhí Ronan cliste, réidh agus dóchasach, ach ní raibh sé cinnte faoi na hiarrachtaí a bhí Maeve ag déanamh.

Ronan was smart, ready, and optimistic, but he wasn't sure about the efforts Maeve was making.

Níl suim ar leith aige sa pholaitíocht, ach bhí a fhios aige cé chomh tábhachtach is a bhí sé do Maeve baill den phobal a fháil amach ag vótáil.

He didn't have a particular interest in politics, but he knew how important it was for Maeve to get the community members out to vote.

"Ó, Ronan," a dúirt Maeve agus iad ag breathnú amach an fhuinneog, "ní mór dúinn na daoine seo a thabhairt anseo. Caithfidh siad a bheith mar chuid den t-athrú."

"Oh, Ronan," Maeve said as they looked out the window, "we have to bring these people here. They need to be part of the change."

D’oibrigh Maeve go dian, ag eagrú carabháin do na vótálaithe dreoite óna dtithe i lár an sneachta bán.

Maeve worked hard, organizing caravans for the jaded voters from their homes in the midst of the white snow.

Seancharranna, fillte i ndathanna geala na Nollag, bhíodar réidh le bunadh an bhaile a thógáil chuig an ionad vótála.

Old cars, wrapped in the bright colors of Christmas, were ready to take the townsfolk to the polling place.

Chuir Maeve cinneadh cróga os a gcomhair: áiseanna a roinnt agus vótálaithe a thabharfaí i gcomhthéacs an bhróin eacnaimiach mhóir seo.

Maeve put a bold choice before them: to unite resources and bring voters forth in the context of this great economic mourning.

Le dul faoi lánseol an tsneachta, chuaigh an carbhán ag taisteal ó sráidbhaile go sráidbhaile, trí na cosáin caolcha timpeallaithe le cnoic bhláthair.

With the snow in full swing, the caravan went traveling from village to village, through the narrow paths surrounded by flowering hills.

Ach ní fada a bhí siad ar a dtreo nuair a bhuail stoirm mhór sneachta iad.

But they hadn't gone far on their journey when a big snowstorm hit them.

Bhí an príomhbhóthar dúnta agus dírigh an sneach go tiubh na bairr.

The main road was closed, and the snow piled thickly on the peaks.

"Cad a dhéanfaimid anois, Maeve?" a dúirt Ronan i giúmar achrannach.

"What will we do now, Maeve?" Ronan said in a troubled mood.

Ach bhí Maeve tiomáinte, ní raibh sí sásta éirí as.

But Maeve was determined, not willing to give up.

Chonaic sí cosán beag taobh amuigh den phríomhshlí a rinne an teachtaireacht soiléir: buanseasmhacht go bhfuil bealach ann i gcónaí.

She saw a small path off the main route that made the message clear: perseverance means there's always a way.

"Tá bóthar cúil ann," a dúirt sí go muiníneach.

"There’s a back road," she said confidently.

"Tá súil agam go dtiocfaimid ann in am."

"I hope we can get there in time."

Tríd an ngála, chomhthrom le srutháin sneachta, bhí cóiriú comhchabhála á lorg acu; iad siúd ar thug Ronan agus Maeve treoir trí na cosáin bheaga, faoi scáth na gcrainn, go dtí an t-ionad vótála.

Through the gale, even with snow streams, they sought cooperative assistance; Ronan and Maeve guiding them through the small paths, under the shadow of the trees, to the polling place.

Ní raibh am ar bith le spáráil acu; ach ar deireadh, rinne na daoine a gcoinníoll dílis, nuall ag doras an halla somsáinneach.

They had no time to spare, but finally, the people kept their faithful pact, shouting at the door of the spacious hall.

Bhí an t-atmaisféar sa halla lán de spleodar agus meangadh afterglow na Nollag.

The atmosphere in the hall was full of excitement and the afterglow of Christmas smiles.

Bhain an scaifte le hinsint faoi cé chomh tábhachtach agus a bhí a nguth.

The crowd was eager to tell of how important their voice was.

"B'fhiú an turas,” a dúirt Ronan go bródúil, "is féidir le hathrú beag mórán a dhéanamh."

"The journey was worth it," Ronan said proudly, "a small change can make a big difference."

Bhraith Maeve an t-áthas a ghabh an lá, ní i enk na toisce.

Maeve felt the joy that captured the day, not merely because of the circumstances.

Thug sí a fearaithne, agus d'fhoghlaim sí rud éigin freisin - gur féidir le dúthracht agus pobal damhsa an t-athrú a thiomáint.

She gave her acknowledgment, having also learned something - that dedication and community can drive change.

Sa cloigeann leanúnach, rinne Ronan an díograis chéanna a fuair am, ag tabhairt isteach a bhuíochas go fóill.

In the constant buzz, Ronan shared the same enthusiasm she had found, expressing his gratitude still.

Bhí geata codlata tír seo i deireanach, ach bhí a fhios ag Maeve agus Ronan go raibh tamall long-which in eascrare.

The gateway to this country's sleep was closing, but Maeve and Ronan knew there was a long journey ahead.

Agus sin an scéal, a chairde, de bheirt atá sásta agus a tàiothar go léir i ndiallam an chéad lá eile.

And that, my friends, is the story of two who are happy and dedicated to guiding everything into the path of the next day.