Monday 23 February 2015

Elle is Dragged into Gaming

Saturday was the designated fun part of my weekend (what a sad thing to say [stop with the parenthetical speech, Elle]), because I was heading to the CTYI reunion, which would be smaller than the one on Valentine’s Day but still hopefully fab.

Ciarán said he’d go because I was, and Seán was bagpacking but we said we’d meet him when he was done. I took the train at half ten and, to my dismay, found while I was already on route that it only went as far as Connolly, which was two stops away from the place I knew.

When I got off, I couldn’t find a DART to get me to Pearse soon enough so I just walked. I got so very, very lost, ending up at Bus Áras and The Irish Times before finally finding the Science Gallery, from where I sort of knew the way to Stephen’s Green.

I went through Trinity campus and took the wrong road for ages, then backtracked and eventually found the way to Grafton Street (by the way, thank you to shops that say the street name on their signs. So helpful). I was in sight of Stephen’s Green shopping centre when I saw a flash of movement and Ciarán crashed into/hugged me, followed by Arthur who I haven’t seen in ages. He wasn’t wearing his glasses, which made him harder to recognise.



So then we went up to the people still at the Stephen’s Green front gate (I was around 40 minutes late for the reunion because of all the getting lost, and Ciarán had presumably been at grinds). I hugged Jerry and Fez, and reunited with Dermot who actually said my hair was adequate and declined to comment on my outfit (for Dermot, that’s amazing).

We then went and found Seán, and went into McDonalds so he could change out of his school uniform and Arthur could take out his contacts and put on glasses. We chilled in McDonalds for ages (Ciarán and I bought Apple Pies) and then I realised what I'd gotten myself into when all three of them took out a Vita/DS and started playing games. So I was sitting there leaning on Ciarán being typical bored girlfriend, which I was not happy with. I tried to steal Seán's Vita to get him to do something for me to fill the bingo card (more on that in a second) and then got caught in the middle of two tables as the three of them tackled me to get it off me. Quite aggressive/impressive.

About the Bingo card: on Friday night, I was skyping Seán and Ciarán when Seán decided to make a Custom Bingo card for things I always do during Skype calls (e.g. randomly singing, my laptop shutting down). It was surprisingly easy to come up with 25 things, and then I fulfilled almost all of them during that one call. Damnit. But there was one left (make Seán carry something) which we spent a lot of Saturday trying to do. Eventually, he carried me to fulfill it. But he wouldn't carry the Apple Pie in McDonalds. 

After that, Arthur got a chocolate crepe in Gino's and we had some weird conversation about overflowing chocolate or something.

Then we left and Seán and Arthur went to this game store called Rage which is apparently really overpriced, although Seán managed to find something for like €30 that someone was trying to sell for a thousand on Ebay. While they were there, Ciarán and I went to Asia Market (me begrudgingly). They literally had huge dead fish there, out in the open. Fish: really, really not my thing.
Then we walked a bit more and chatted until Seán whispered something in Ciarán's ear. They wouldn't tell me what that was, and then a few minutes later two of them held my arms and I suddenly looked up and saw the shop sign:
Forbidden Planet.

Where I'd specifically said not to go. I struggled a lil bit for the craic, then went in. There were some weird things in there, but I liked the book section. I just find comics really hard to read because I find pictures harder to decipher than words and my eyes can't focus on them. I saw the Temeraire series and books by Cassandra Clare. 

Then they asked me to pick my favourite out of three Pokemon they were holding. I said Fennekin because (a) it looks nice (b) I'd seen it before (c) I knew its name, and Seán and Arthur were happy but Ciarán wasn't, oops. Ciarán wanted me to pick Froakie apparently. I also learned what big brother means in manga ... uh.








After that, we went to Murphy's and I got that amazing photo above. See how it says "me and my Murphys"? There I am with Ciarán Murphy (boyfriend) and Arthur Murphy, so I am with my Murphys. It's like a visual pun, it's amazing. 


Shortly afterwards we went to Apache Pizza. I didn't buy anything but I took some of Ciarán and Seán's chips and Arthur kindly gave me two slices of ham pizza. We then walked Arthur to Pearse Station...


and then Ciarán had an idea, and invited me and Seán back to his house to play Super Smash Bros.


Now, I had always promised I'd play stuff if we could do it together in his physical presence, so I called my Dad on Seán's phone and asked if I could get a later train (at 10 p.m.), while Ciarán called his Dad and asked if I could come over. Dad agreed once I assured him I'd be safe, as did Ciarán's Dad.

Oh, and then Seán tied the arms of my hoody together so tightly that I couldn't actually get it off. Not having the use of my hands was a little odd.

We started walking towards the bus and bumped into Paddy on the way (well, glimpsed his blue hair, and Ciarán sprinted to catch him and bring him to us). We chatted for a while and decreed that biology isn't a real (LC) science, then realised that our bus was there and sprinted for that. But first, I got Paddy to untie me.

Ciarán had change so he paid for my ticket (I reimbursed him later) and we showed Seán how destroyed my iPod is. I had to distract Ciarán to stop him annoying Seán by telling him what to do in the game he was playing. 

We got off the bus and went to Seán's house briefly before walking to a shop (bought sweets) and then to Ciarán's. His mam gave us minipizzas which was nice, and then we went upstairs and played Smash Bros.

It was ... a learning experience. Seán laughed a lot and Ciarán was very distressed when they saw that I was holding the remote upside down and sideways, but they taught me and were patient and nice so it was fine. I chose Princess Peach because duh and though I lost a lot, I don't think I disgraced myself so it was fine. I conceded that it was actually pretty fun in small doses and with friends.

We had a really, really nice time. Seán left around 9 because he was working the next day. We made Ciarán a hot water bottle (the one I bought him for Valentine's) and went back upstairs. I did Duolingo and checked my Facebook on his computer (which he didn't like). Also, he has like three screens in his room, it's cray.

Ciarán is fab, Seán is, Arthur is, I had a really great time and it was great to see Ciarán again only a week after last time. And I LOVE that photo, which is down to serendipity and Seán's photography skills. 






Friday 20 February 2015

Photo Friday #8: 16th Birthday

Photo Friday is a weekly event on this blog where I pick a photo that means something to me and talk about it. This week's photo is from my early 16th birthday party, attended by Ciarán and John Joe. Also, I'm totally cheating because this isn't just one photo.













These are just a selection of the photos from one of the best days of 2014. On the 9th of August, Ciarán, John Joe and Morgan came to a shopping centre near me to celebrate (heretofore known as "SH").

I had been pretty disheartened as everyone else cancelled, but in the end it didn't even matter. John Joe made a five hour train ride to come, Ciarán was waiting in SH and Morgan insisted on me driving him there. But still, I had a wonderful time and I think they did too. 

I think John Joe scared Morgan with his craziness, but that's to be expected as Morgan was the only non-CTYI person there and the others all knew each other. 

We wandered around SH and they gave me presents, just standard fare really, but it was only 8 days since CTYI had ended and it was so wonderful because in 2013 I never really stayed in touch with people from CTYI, but in 2014 it worked out so well.
We almost got kicked out of SH a few times because Ciarán was giving me piggybacks and John Joe was acting crazy (oops). After a while we went walking. We went to Eurogiant, Waterstones and got our faces painted in the art and hobby shop (so mature, I know).
But first, we went up onto the roof of the shopping centre. I didn't know that was even possible, but we just kept going up escalators and no one was there to stop us so we did. There was such a great view, which you can see in the second picture from the top. I took a picture of Ciarán sitting down looking contemplative (I do that a lot, it seems).

The third picture is one I particularly love. After the shopping, Mam collected us and we went back to my house. Moya and her friends Niamh and Elsa were there, and we had food. Me, Ciarán and John Joe then lay down on the trampoline in the blazing sun for ages and it was amazing. After that, Moya or Niamh called us over and we played Truth or Dare. Ciarán was asked who he likes and it soon became apparent that everyone was trying to set us up. He whispered it but I was pretty sure I was mentioned. I liked two people at the time, and he was one of them. (The other guy sorted himself out pretty soon after that). So that was cool.

Later, Ciarán's dad came to pick him up and he, John Joe and I ran down to the little woods down my road and sang Bohemian Rhapsody together. Magical. Eventually, Ciarán had to leave but you could tell his dad was shipping us so hard. 

John Joe slept over at my house two consecutive nights, and even came with me to my other birthday thing in Dublin (to see Cian), which Ciarán and Jerry were also at.

That was a really, really good birthday. 


Sunday 15 February 2015

Valentine's Day 2015

Yes, it is the 15th. Yes, I'm aware that's not Valentine's Day, but I was tired last night so I'm posting now.



So deep and contemplative. 


So, yesterday being Valentine's Day, I planned to meet my boyfriend in my town and be all couply or whatever. He couldn't get down 'til after grinds and my only lift in got me in there for 7.40 a.m., so I had to occupy myself for six hours in town. When I got there, I saw that the planned shopping centre didn't open 'til 9.30, so then I walked over to the bus station where there was wifi and used my laptop for a while. Around 9 a.m., I walked back up slowly and went in when it was open. Very boringly wandered around for a while until the one hour window he said he should arrive in (between 12.30 and 1.30). I was texting Kevin and Seán, so I kept going out into the main aisle to get wifi and then back into the Waterstones to charge my laptop. Thanks for not kicking me out, guys. 

Ciarán was late, though not too much, and he immediately presented me with a hella cute teddy. We were in Waterstones at the time, by the way, me sitting on one of the new red armchairs near the entrance. He then pulled out this ornate red bag and gave me my presents. Voila.




Not the best photo, but there's the teddy, a card with cats on it, two sets of gloves, earphones, Lindor chocolate and a purse. 

I love how thoughtful the gifts are: he always says I'm like a cat, I've lost my earphones recently, my hands are always unreasonably cold and I tend to use the top of my bag as a purse, which can be pretty inconvenient. Thank you darling.

I then gave him his stuff, which included a onesie, a hot water bottle inside a fluffy teddy and some Loom bands, because he wanted a onesie, likes fluffy things and is good with his hands so I was surprised he'd never tried Loom bands. 




We did a lap around Waterstones, then went upstairs in the shopping centre to sit on the benches and talk. Eventually, we left and went along the street with Penneys, ABC and Esquires. There weren't many people in Penneys, strangely, though a lot of those who were were from my school, leading Ciarán to ask whether my school was the entire town (yes).

Esquires was too expensive, so we went looking for Jaffa Xpress by going through the Town Centre. I was very proud when I found it, I must say. Sense of direction! I had already spent my allotted €2 during the six hours waiting (on plain demibaguettes and a Chomp), so Ciarán paid for the majority of the meal (I paid €1.80 so  he paid like €8. Sorry, Ciarán). It was really nice; I got a BLT, a hot chocolate and chips. He got a sandwich with chicken in it and we shared the chips, plus he'd bought me a lolly from earlier. We relaxed and talked, and it was really nice. Jaffa Xpress is really great. 



We then went to the library and looked around before sitting down by the wall and plugging my laptop in as Ciarán wanted to have a look and see what was wrong with it. Unfortunately, though, the library closed soon after (at 5) and we had to leave. 

We briefly went into Choice and Boyds before returning to Waterstones and sharing a chair. Then, when I felt like we were PDAing a little too much, we went to the back of the shop. Ciarán got me to put on the gloves/mittens and try to open a book to a specific page. I was terribly fumbly, but he found it hilarious. He tried it after me and was a lot better. 

At 6, we started walking down to the bus stop for my 6.20 bus. His dad was to meet him at the McDonalds directly beside that. We held hands walking down (and other times) and talked in the bus station before his Dad came and made awkward conversation. His dad went back out to the car and I went for it, then he was really sweet and yeah, imagine. He waited with me 'til the bus was leaving, we hugged and I got on.



I was actually ecstatic, not even kidding.

I kept one hand on the teddy the whole time. I saw girls from my school on the bus, which was helpful because I'd never taken that bus before. I spent the ride talking to this one girl, Jane, who's in my History class. We actually got on, which was really nice.


Then I had to go to Mass, bummer, but had my Valentines gift bag beside me which kept me very happy.


Best. Valentine's. Ever. 



Saturday 14 February 2015

Photo Friday #7: Rathescar Lake


Photo Friday is a weekly event on this blog where I pick a photo that means something to me and talk about it. This week's photo is of me and assorted friends and siblings at Rathescar (Rothescar?) Lake after a sleepover at my house.


Facebook tells me that the photo was uploaded on 22nd September 2012, and I'm glad Facebook is there because otherwise I wouldn't have a clue. But this is a wonderful photo, and I'll tell you what I do remember.

My family used to go for walks in Rathescar Lake all the time, practically every week I think. It was a circular walk around, you guessed it, a lake, with these amazing naturally interlocked trees that made brilliant climbing material. There were all these hearts carved into the trees with people's initials in them too, and it really was gorgeous. 

The night before, Kate and Niamh (top row, left) had come to a sleepover (presumably for my birthday). Those were good sleepovers, though I'm having trouble distinguishing this particular one. So I'll take it as a holder of all of them.

Jude, Moya and Luke (bottom row) came along too, and actually weren't annoying. It was just such a lovely day, sunny but not too hot and spent chatting with friends. I'm really glad I have this photo to look back on. I guess it symbolises "family and friends" for me.

Now, it's late and I've to be up at 6 tomorrow to go out for Valentine's Day, so I'll leave it here. I haven't really done the photo's meaning justice, but I don't know if that's even possible. Wish me luck. 

Monday 9 February 2015

Soroptimists 2015 Regional Finals

I'm writing this on Monday and ... yeah, I'm just going to schedule it for today. It won't kill me to miss a day. So, I spent yesterday in Athlone in the Shelbourne Hotel at the Regional Finals of the Soroptimists Public Speaking Competition.

Last November, I won my local heats along with one other girl (Emer Shine) and advanced to the Regional Finals (though they should really be called Semifinals, I think) in Athlone. You can read the post where I mention the local heats here.

I got a lift off Adrienne (sp?) from the local Soroptimists club. We met at 10.45 at a local shopping centre, and the teacher going with me sat in the back with Adrienne and her husband, a doctor, in front. The drive took forever, and I spent it writing my speech out onto index cards, which I’d been too lazy to do the night before. 

Then I contemplated starting my English essay but got distracted reading the 
textbook, so I only had time to write one of my Fiverr pieces before we got there.
The hotel was nice, though it did have that old Irish hotel air where it’s all dark and polished wood and carpets. Not a fan of the smoky atmosphere (not literal smoke, but it resembled a bar in places, most of all the actual bar). We were over an hour early, so we went and I got a BLT and hot chocolate in the bar, paid for by my school (I owe them so much).

Being me, I did of course lose my index cards. We went on a merry goose chase looking for them, but the doctor found them eventually exactly where I thought I left it (the speaking room – yes, I had looked there, but I hadn’t seen them).

Then we had an introduction and then the speeches started. I was third to go up, and there was one other girl doing my topic (D, in the Democracy section; about gender quotas in business and politics). The most popular topic was A, based on a quote from Nelson Mandela about freedom.

We all had to speak for between four and six minutes. My prepared speech went fine, no hiccups, and I think I got some laughter at points. I was kinda awed by the fifth girl – her speech and charisma just seemed amazing. She was from the girl next to me’s school. The girl next to me, oh god can I remember her name, was nice. Girl on the other side was loud. Girl from my local round, Emer, was pretty cool, with very energetic hair.

The sixth girl, though, Schmebecca Schmoss, really annoyed me (and not just because she was doing my topic and taking the opposite side). She went on with this prattle about “my friend Jen (short for gender quotas)” and it was persuasive but just so puerile and stupid I genuinely wanted to puke as the speech went on. She has another friend, named “Fem” (short for feminism) and just ugh. Are we in Junior Infants here?

Everyone had already got through their local rounds and this was the final for quarter of the country, so we were all good, I think. Some people didn’t really have many points, but a lot of them came out from behind the podium and engaged the audience a lot. I hadn’t known we were supposed to do that so kay.

Then it was time for the impromptu round, which I’d been dreading. We were brought into one of the hotel rooms and girls were led out individually and given the topic. It was quite a nice one, I must admit: “Operation Transformation”.

Long story short, I was at least able to talk for the requisite two minutes (after two minutes of preparation) and didn’t dry up. My conclusion was awful (non-existent – well, it was there, but I was so flustered I forgot to say it) and I just repeated the last line, but at least I passed the two minutes.

I had a feeling Schmoss would win just on sheer power of irritation, but I didn’t know who else would. I thought maybe the fifth girl. We had lunch and then came back for speeches, then the prizes were announced. Schmoss won (ugh) but so did Ciara Rigney, which we didn’t predict. The content of her speech was pretty disjointed but she spoke well and had good charisma. She now has the National Finals of this Competition on March 7th and the Finals of another public speaking competition the day after, which is interesting.

I meant to add the other girls on Facebook but I can’t really be bothered now. I got a hot chocolate before we left then. I was sad I missed a whole day at Dad’s. We then drove back (I had charged my laptop halfway in the hotel) for two hours. I had a splitting headache and wouldn’t take the tablet so I tried to do my History/English essays but didn’t succeed. Eventually I just fell asleep.

Pretty meh day. Ciarán was nice afterwards though, and I went to bed really early because of the headache.


We got €15 iTunes vouchers, and since I don’t use iTunes I just gave mine to Kate during French today on a whim. 

Monday 2 February 2015

Duolingo, you're a Creep

I'm now on a 100 day streak on Duolingo, though Duolingo itself would say I'm on a 10 day streak because twice I've done my requisite exercise after midnight, when it refuses to count it. So it lost my 75 day streak once, and then an 89 day streak (which it counted as 14 days) but since I still did the exercise during those days I'm counting it. 

So anyway, yay me. 

To celebrate the occasion, here are some of the weird phrases Duolingo has given me to translate. Duolingo, you're a creep. 

Elle est parfaite - She is perfect. Except my name is Elle, so the whole time it was like Duolingo complimenting me. 

Here's where it got super creepy and euphemistic.

Nous lisons vos lettres - We read your letters. 

Je motive le garcon - I motivate the boy.

Il ouvre son manteau - He opens his coat.

Il perd son pantalon - He loses his pants (almost directly after the coat one, not even kidding). 

He motivates the children - Il motive les enfants

Elle prend mon sucre - She takes my sugar

He gets dirty - Il devient sale.

C'est la banane que je veux - It's the banana I want.


I know that you know that I know - Je sais que tu sais que je sais.

The women play with the men - Les femmes jouent avec les hommes.

Le garcon plait aux filles - The boy pleases the girls.

Vous allez me regarder - You are going to watch.

La serveuse est entierement nue - The waitress is entirely naked. 

Then it got romantic...

Je suis beau et fort! - I'm beautiful and strong!

You are beautiful - Tu es beau.

Am I naked? - Suis-je nu? Shouldn't you know that, Duolingo?

Est-elle nue? - Is she naked? Is Elle naked? No. Why would she learn French in the nude?

Il m'écrit un livre - He writes me a book.

Oui, je t'aime - Yes, I love you.

My wife, I love her - Ma femme, je l'adore.

C'est la femme du siecle - She's the woman of the century.

I like these moments with you - J'aime ces moments avec toi. Duolingo, I'm taken. Stop it. 

I miss him - Il me manque.

Pourquoi revons-nous? - Why do we dream? Right little poet, so you are.

J'aime dire que je t'aime - I like saying that I love you.

Where do you want to have dinner tonight? - Ou aimes-tu diner ce soir?

Je viens pour te sauver - I'm coming to save you.

I still love you - Je t'aime toujours.

Elle existe déja - She already exists.

Je recois souvent des lettres de lui - I often receive letters from him. 

Enfin, je crois - Finally, I believe.

Tu es presque parfait - You are almost perfect.

Elle est loin, mais je l'aime toujours - She is far away, but I love her always

Elle est au-dessus de moi - She is above me. Elle is above me ;) 

Je dors loin de vous - I am sleeping far away from you.

Cependant, elle est trop chere - However, she is very beloved. 

You are rather beautiful - Tu es plutot belle.

Tu es ma princesse - You are my princess.

J'aime ma copine - I love my girlfriend.

J'aime mon petit ami - I love my boyfriend.

Every day I love you more - Tous les jours je t'aime plus

Vous etes mon futur mari - You are my future husband. Why are they using the formal "strangers" tense to refer to someone they intend to marry?

J'aime passer du temps avec elle - I like spending time with her.

I am sensitive to beauty - Je suis sensible a la beauté.

Elle a un haut niveau d'intelligence. She has a high level of intelligence. I should really just make a category for the ones that are funny because they're my name. 

Tu vas tellement me manquer - I will miss you so.

Elle recoit des cadeaux et des roses - She receives presents and roses. Mmm. 

Some uncomfortable "truths"...

Malgré elle, elle aime ce garcon - Despite herself, she likes this boy. Cian. 

She is weak; she eats the chocolate - Elle est faible; elle mange le chocolat

Les hommes partent - the men leave. Sob. 

J'aime ma mere, mais j'aime aussi mon pere - I love my mother, but also my father.

Cette femme est tres belle, mais il est trop jeune pour elle - This woman is very beautiful, but he is too young for her. 

I want to see my son now - Je veux voir mon fils maintenant

Vous etes plutot petite - You are rather small. I personally find this one quite romantic. 

Personne ne me parle - Nobody talks to me. 

Elle semble vivre normalement - She seems to live normally. Do I? 

Non, ce n'est pas mon petit ami - No, he's not my boyfriend.

Je suis aussi fatiguée que toi - I am also tired of you.

Je ne peux pas le laisser seul - I can't leave him alone. 

Il a coupé le contact avec elle depuis longtemps - He cut off contact with her long ago. 

Il dirige sa famille et prend toutes les décisions - He directs his family and makes all the decisions.

Meme un professeur peut faire des erreurs - Even a teacher can make mistakes.

Je ne peux pas décrire mes sentiments - I can't describe my feelings.

Elle ne faisait rien pour etre aimée - She never did it to be liked.

Je veux etre aimée pour ce que je suis  - I want to be loved for who I am. 


Some were just plain weird...

He lives in an apple - Il habite dans une pomme.

Tu joues avec ton tigre - You play with your tiger.

Je vais vous apporter le canard - I'm going to bring you the duck.

Je viens pour sauver ton chat - I'm coming to save your cat.

Je veux cacher un animal - I want to hide an animal.

Il doit mourir - He must die. 

Mes enfants sont secrets - My children are secret.

He shows them the shark - Il me montre le requin. 


Tada! Also, check out this cool Twitter account with similar content: @ShitDuoSays




Sunday 1 February 2015

An Triail le Máíre Ní Ghráda

Readers who only speak English: don't worry. There's a translation at the bottom of the post, or you can come back tomorrow or look through my archives for every other post which is solely in English. 

Níl mo chuid Gaeilge foirfe.

Baineann an dráma "An Triail" le Mairéad Ní Ghráda le Máire, cailín óg a thiteann i ngrá le máistir scoile. Tá orm stáidéar a dhéanamh air, ach den chéad uair ba mhaith liom é a phlé anseo.

Is scéal tragóideach é seo, ach is breá liom é. Is duine soineanta agus saonta í Máire, duine nach dtéann amach ag rince go minic de dheasca ar a máthair dian. Lá amháin, áfach, tá cead aici dul go dtí rince atá ar siúl san scoile mar tá an sagart agus a deartháir ann. 

Ag an rince, buaileann Máire le Pádraig. Is máistir scoile é Pádraig, a bhfuil go leor ro-shean do Mháire. Ach mheallann sé í le focail plamásach; labhráionn sé cosúil le file, agus i gcuid tamall gearr tá Máire faoi dhraíocht aige. 

Tosáionn siad ag buaileadh níos minice. Tá Máire fíor i ngrá anois, ach deir Pádraig go bhfuil uirthi é a choimeád faoi rún. Tá bhean chéile aige ag an am a bhfuil tinn i gcónai, agus tá sé midhílis di. Tá Máire dílis do Phádraig, agus amaideach. Níl a fhios aici go cuma sé fuithí. Go tobann, tá sí ag iompar agus í fos mar déagóir. 

Nuair atá fhios ag a máthair, tá sí fearg. Deir a matháir nach bhfuil cailín Críostuíl maith í ar bith. Imíonn Máire an teach go luath. 

Caithfidh sí aire a chur uirthi féin. Mar sin, oibríonn sí ina seirbhíseach do bhean le páistí. Ní labhraíonn sí an firinne; insíonn sí don bhean go bhfuil sí ina baintreach. Nuair a fhaigheann an bean amach go bhfuil sí ag iompar, tagann Oibrí Soisíalta. Tugann an Oibrí Sóisialta í go dtí Teach Tearmann, áit ina gcaithfidh sí obair an t-am ar fad. Nuair a bhreitheann an leanbh, Pádraigín, ba chóir di í a thabhair don altramái ach ní dhéaneann sí é sin mar tá sí an-ghrámhar lena h-iníon beag. 

Oibríonn sí in áit eile ar fad tamaill, ach nuair a thiteann a teach anuas bhogann sí isteach le Mailí lena h-iníon. Is Mailí cairde Máire ón dTeach Tearmann. D'éalaigh an bheirt acu, agus anois is stríopach í Mailí. Fós, is gá le Máire teach agus mar sin téann sí le Mailí.

Lá amháin, tarlaíonn rud iontach. Tagann Pádraig! Ceapann Máire go bhfuil sé ar ais dí. Tá sásta uirthi nuair a faigheann a bhean chéile bás mar ceapann sí go bhfuil siad ábalta phósadh anois. Ach foghlaim sí go bhfuil sé pósta anois le múinteoir. Níos measa, tá sé anseo do Mháilí, atá ina stríopach.

Níl Máire ábalta é a dhéanamh níos mó, agus mharáionn sí a leanbh tar éis a ceann a chur san oigheann. Ansin, cuireann sí lámh ina báis féin. 

Ag an reilig, tá sé soiléir go bhfuil sí tréigthe ag beagnach gach duine. Is í Mailí amháin cairde fíor. 

Is breá liom an dráma seo mar tá sé suimiúl. Tá sé an scéal suimiúl i nGaeilge amháin a bhfuil léite agam. 


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The drama "An Triail" by Mairéad Ní Ghráda deals with Máire, a young girl who falls in love with a schoolmaster. i have to study it, but first I want to discuss it here.

This is a tragic story, but I love it. Máire is an innocent, naive person who doesn't often go to dances because of her strict mother. One day, however, she's allowed go to a dance on in school because the priest and her brother will be there. 

At the dance, Máire meets Pádraig. Pádraig is a schoolmaster, who is well too old for Máire. He woos her with plomossing words; he speaks like a poet, and soon Máire is under his spell. 

They start meeting more often. Máire is truly in love now, but Pádraig says they must keep it secret. He has a wife at the time who is always sick, and he is unfaithful to her. Máire is loyal to Pádraig, and foolish. She doesn't know he doesn't care about her. Suddenly, she's pregnant while still a teenager.

When her mother finds out, she's angry. Her mother says that she's not a good Christian girl at all. Máire leaves the house soon after that.

She has to look after herself. Because of that, she works as a servant for a woman with children. She doesn't tell the truth; she tells the woman that she is a widow. When the woman finds out she's pregnant, a social worker comes. The social worker takes her to a Laundry, where she has to work all the time. When the baby, Pádraigín (little Pádraig) is born, she should give her to foster parents but she doesn't because she really loves her little daughter. 

She works somewhere else for a while, but when her house falls down she moves in with Molly with her daughter. Molly is a friend of Máire's from the Laundry. They both escaped, and now Molly is a prostitute. Still, Máire needs a house and so she goes with Molly.

One day, something amazing happens. Pádraig comes! Máíre thinks he's come back for her. She is happy when his wife dies because she thinks they will be able to marry now. But she learns that he has married again, to a teacher. Worse still, he's here for Molly, the prostitute. 

Máire can't do it anymore, and she kills her baby after putting its head in the over. Then she commits suicide. 

At the graveyard, it's clear that she has been abandoned by nearly everyone. Only Molly is a true friend. 

I love this drama because it's interesting. It's the only interesting Irish story I've ever read.