Bhí séasúr na bhFómhar ann, agus bhí na duilleoga ag titim ó na crainn ar champas Choláiste na Tríonóide i mBaile Átha Cliath.

It was the autumn season, and the leaves were falling from the trees on the campus of Coláiste na Tríonóide in Baile Átha Cliath.

Sa Leabharlann cáiliúil, áit fiosrúcháin na staire agus na seanchas, bhí triúr cairde bailithe le chéile arís: Aisling, Cormac, agus Siobhán.

In the famous library, a place of historical and folklore inquiry, three friends had gathered again: Aisling, Cormac, and Siobhán.

Bhí cóiricíní oráiste agus dubha crochta timpeall, ag cuimhneamh do dhaoine go raibh Oíche Shamhna ag teacht aníos.

Orange and black streamers were hanging around, reminding people that Oíche Shamhna was approaching.

Bhí atmaisféar an-leithleach ann, agus bhí fuinneamh saoirseach ag líonadh na leabharlainne ó na cuairteoirí san aer.

There was a very relaxed atmosphere, and a free spirited energy filled the library from the visitors in the air.

Ba mhac léinn dúthrachtach í Aisling, i gcónaí buartha faoin scrúdú ealaín staire a bhí roimpi.

Aisling was a diligent student, always worried about the art history exam that lay ahead.

Thaitin seanchas na hÉireann léi go mór, ach cé go mbíodh sí gafa leis, bhí sí buailte leis an mbrú gan tagairt a dhéanamh dó anseo.

She greatly enjoyed Irish folklore, but although she was captivated by it, she was hit by the pressure not to reference it here.

"Bhuel, cad atá tú ag déanamh Aisling?

"Well, what are you up to Aisling?"

" a d’fhiafraigh Cormac ag gáire, ag iarraidh an scéal a dhéanamh níos éadroime.

asked Cormac laughing, trying to lighten the situation.

"Níl aon seans go mbeimid chomh maith leatsa faoin stair!

"There's no chance we'll be as good as you at history!"

"Bhí a fhios ag Cormac chomh maith gur bhraith Aisling brú air.

Cormac also knew that Aisling felt the pressure.

D'fhéach sé uirthi le súile mímheabhracha, ach faoi bhí a mhisneach féin beagán as alt.

He looked at her with teasing eyes, but beneath that, his own courage was a bit out of place.

"Caithfidh mé díriú ar an stair amháin," a dúirt Aisling go neirbhíseach.

"I have to focus on history alone," said Aisling nervously.

"Ach tá sé deacair gan an seanchas a ghlacadh isteach.

"But it's hard not to absorb the folklore."

"Bhí Siobhán, ar a raibh an-cháil aici ar a cuid acadúla, níos dáiríre.

Siobhán, known for her academic prowess, was more serious.

"Cén fáth a mbeadh Gaeilge ar bith á bhaineann le stair ár staidéir?

"Why would any Gaeilge be associated with the history of our studies?"

" a d'fhiafraigh sí go géarchúiseach.

she asked sharply.

Ach chaith Aisling an dainséar, agus rinne sí cinneadh aiste a scríobh ag tabhairt aghaidh ar na cosúlachtaí idir staire agus seanchas.

But Aisling took the plunge, and she decided to write an essay addressing the similarities between history and folklore.

Thosaigh sí ag míniú go paiseanta.

She began to explain passionately.

"Bhí Leabhar na hÉireann lán de scéalta ó ré na Sean-Ghaeilge," a dúirt sí.

"The Leabhar na hÉireann was full of stories from the Old Irish era," she said.

"Tá nasc idir fianaise stairiúil agus scéalta béaloidis!

"There is a link between historical evidence and folklore stories!"

"Ní fhéadfadh Cormac a bheith i gceann a chuid gáire nuair a thosaigh an díospóireacht.

Cormac couldn't keep from laughing when the debate started.

Bhí an chonspóid spreagúil, fiú Siobhán admhaigh suim sa seanchas go simplí.

The controversy was stimulating, and even Siobhán admitted a simple interest in the folklore.

"B'fhéidir nach bhfuil an seanchas chomh hamaideach sin," a dúirt sí cúramach.

"Maybe the folklore isn't that foolish," she said cautiously.

Tháinig an lá faoinár mbráid nuair a thug Aisling a haiste isteach.

The day arrived when Aisling handed in her essay.

Bhí croí lán áthais uirthi le tiomáint nua.

Her heart was full of joy with a new drive.

Le hiontas Dé, mol an múinteoir í as a cuid cruthaitheacht, agus fuair sí barr feabhais ar a cuid aiste.

To her astonishment, the teacher praised her for her creativity, and she excelled in her essay.

Agus ar deireadh, thuig Aisling go raibh an luachacht ina smaointe féin níos tábhachtaí ná bheith ar aon tuairim seachas a bheith difriúil.

In the end, Aisling realized that the value in her own thoughts was more important than being in agreement rather than being different.

Bhí sí ag seasamh go daingean ar a post féin, ní hamháin i gcúrsaí acadúla, ach sa saol mór freisin.

She stood firmly on her own ground, not only in academic matters, but in life in general.

I measc na bhFómhar, mar an féar aoibhinn, bhí Aisling anois féinmhuiníneach.

Among the autumn leaves, like the pleasant grass, Aisling was now confident in herself.