Bhí an fuacht saoire ag bualadh na sráideanna ach sa Halla Tionóil Scoil na Sráidbhaile Comhchoiteann, bhí áthas agus fuinneamh le brath san aer.

The holiday chill was hitting the streets, but in the Halla Tionóil Scoil na Sráidbhaile Comhchoiteann, there was joy and energy in the air.

Bhí méithreacha déanta i gcóir Lá Fhéile Imbolc thar timpeall, agus iad ag lonrú le báiníní agus féiríní geala.

Decorations had been made for Lá Fhéile Imbolc all around, shining with bright whites and colorful ornaments.

Bhí an t-am céanna ag teacht do dhíograiseoirí óga a scileanna a léiriú ag Cleachtadh Taispeántas na Scoile.

It was also time for the young enthusiasts to showcase their skills at the School's Rehearsal Performance.

Bhí Eamon ina shuí cúinne na cláirsí, a ghuthán ina lámh aige.

Eamon was sitting in the corner by the harps, his phone in his hand.

Bhí sé ag breacadh cúpla nóta ar fhonn nua a bhí ina chroí ach bhí fileadh ar a éadan.

He was jotting down a few notes for a new tune that was in his heart, but there was a wrinkle on his forehead.

Ní raibh muinín aige as féin agus bhí eagla mór air roimh an ardán.

He didn’t have confidence in himself and was very afraid of the stage.

Bhí eagla air roimh an lucht féachana, cé go raibh an grá aige do cheol.

He was scared of the audience, even though he loved music.

Timpeall an chúinne, tháinig Sorcha leis an gcraic is gealgháire i bhfad.

Around the corner came Sorcha with joy and a broad smile.

"A Eamon, beidh tú go hiontach!" arsaíodh sí, a cuid féasóige ag lonrú sa solas.

"A Eamon, you'll be great!" she said, her expression glowing in the light.

Tháinig sí chuige agus shuigh sí in aice leis.

She came over to him and sat beside him.

"B’fhéidir go gcaithfimid beagán cleachtadh a dhéanamh leis an gcuideachta. Déanaimis an halla seo ár n-amharclann."

"Perhaps we should practice a bit with the company. Let’s make this hall our theater."

Thocht Eamon a ghlúine isteach ina chéile.

Eamon pulled his knees together.

"Nílim réidh," arsa sé, guth leanbhúil thuas a amhastraigh.

"I'm not ready," he said, in a childlike voice that faltered.

Ach ní raibh Sorcha éasca le doicheall. Bhí a fhios aici gur féidir le tacaíocht na gcáirde cabhrú.

But Sorcha was not easily deterred. She knew that the support of friends could help.

Bhain sí úsáid as a heagna féin. Ghlaoigh sí ar a cairde eile sa scoil.

She used her own wisdom. She called on her other school friends.

Ba mhaith léi bheith ina lucht leanúna bheo don chleachtadh.

She wanted to be a live audience for the rehearsal.

"Cabhraíonn sé. Ní bheidh tú in ann suí isteach agus díreach éisteacht," a dúirt sí go meanmach.

"It helps. You can’t just sit back and listen," she said encouragingly.

Nuair a tháinig an lá don chleachtadh mór, bhí Eamon ag réabadh leis an t-uar aige.

When the day came for the big rehearsal, Eamon was pacing with anxiety.

Bhrúigh Sorcha tríd an doras é.

Sorcha pushed him through the door.

Bhí na páistí óga sa halla ag feitheamh, bhí aoibh orthu.

The young children in the hall were waiting, smiles on their faces.

"Táimid anseo chun tú a éisteacht, a chara," arsa naonúr den slua.

"We're here to listen to you, my friend," said a group of nine from the crowd.

Lean sí an stáitse amach lena mhuinín.

She followed him onto the stage with confidence.

Chonaic Eamon na suirí eolacha, agus cé go raibh a lámha ag crith a thús, sheas sé go láidir ar a chosa agus thosaigh sé ag seinm.

Eamon saw the familiar faces, and although his hands were shaking at first, he stood firmly on his feet and started playing.

Bhí an chéad cúpla nóta míréidh ach ansin tháinig sé isteach ina chairt.

The first few notes were a bit rough, but then he fell into his rhythm.

Bhí an lucht féachana ag bualadh bos agus ag spochadh le háthas. D’fhan Sorcha le croílár ina súile a bhí lán de ghean air.

The audience was clapping and cheering with joy. Sorcha stayed with a heart full of affection for him.

Ag deireadh a fheidhme, bhí clabhsúr caithréimeach ann.

At the end of his performance, there was a triumphant applause.

An t-am a bhí ann do Eamon an éisteacht a bhailiú.

It was time for Eamon to gather the applause.

A chroí lán de chlann agus cairdeas, d’admhaigh sé go raibh sé réidh don fhéile mhór.

With his heart full of family and friendship, he acknowledged that he was ready for the big festival.

Ba chuma leis an leisce anois.

Doubts no longer mattered.

Bhain sé amach an fhéile le croí-láidir lánderíoch a bháint amach.

He had achieved the festival goal with a strong, fulfilling heart.

Bhí deacht ar a gnúis puffála Sinsear, agus bhí sé níos geise gan an t-ionannas imigh, le roinnt a bheith slánaithe agus páirt a ghlacadh i gcomhluadar an domhain.

There was determination on the face of Sinsear, and he was more energized without the fear of identity fading, having something secured and participating in the world’s company.

Bhí sé mar dheimhin, ní bhíonn Béal na ga gceile agus cara maith a bheith ann.

It was confirmed, there's nothing like having the community with good friends.

Bhí Sorcha agus na páistí eile mar buanna don chéad lá eile.

Sorcha and the other children were winners for the next day.

Shuigh Sorcha in aice leis agus d’éirigh le beart a gcineáltacht.

Sorcha sat next to him, and their gestures of kindness paid off.

Bhí Eamon ag bualadh le cróga as an seomra, níos mó cróite ina gcroí.

Eamon left the room bravely, more courage in his heart.

Ba leis seilbh ar an halla amárach.

He was eager to own the hall tomorrow.

Bhí sé ag iarraidh an domhain a dheanamh i dtreo lá eile níos suimiúla.

He wanted to make the world a more interesting place for another day.

B’fhorbairtí an lá na glúine eile agus ba léir dom féin go raibh seo deireadh an scéil bríomhar náisiuntachta seo.

The developments of that day were for future generations, and it was clear to me that this was the end of this lively national story.