 Ireland, in the early 1920 s. The Quintons, a Protestant family, live peacefully on their beautiful Kilneagh estate. Mr. Quinton, a righteous man, is respected by all but one day one of his workers, is murdered by the Republicans on suspicion of spying for the British forces. The Quintons are held responsible and reprisals soon ensue. The Black and Tans ransack the house and kill everybody except Mrs Quinton, her eight-year-old son Willie and the maid. Willie grows up and becomes a withdrawn, angry young man who supports, as best as he can, his poor mother now alcoholic and depressive. He has never forgotten cruel Sergeant Rudkin, the one that murdered his father before his eyes. Life somewhat improves when he meets again and falls in love with Marianne, his childhood friend, in whose arms he tries to forget his painful past. However when his mother kills herself, his hunger for vengeance resurfaces and he disappears from Marianne s life. Willie finds Rudkin, kills him and in desperation finds refuge on an island off Wales where he sets out living a primitive life. Meanwhile Marianne, who is pregnant, finds shelter at Willie s aunts where she gives birth to a little Imelda. Years later, Willie ends up coming back...