At the birth of the Irish nation, as a family struggles for survival amidst the ravages of war, loyalties are compromised, integrity sacrificed and innocence lost. In October 1920, a motorcycle and sidecar which was tailing a military convoy breaks down on a west of Ireland road, leaving two Black-and-Tans isolated in the small County Galway village of Ballyloughlinn. Their assassination sets off a chain of events which has heartbreaking consequences for publican and grocer, Danny Kieley, and his nineteen year old daughter, Rose. Forced to become unwilling informers, the Kieleys now play the dangerous game of serving the needs of the local community, while trying to satisfy the demands of British Intelligence agents from Dublin Castle. It is a time when the Seanchai entertains the people with poetry and song, when neighbour betrays neighbour, while others die willingly for Ireland."