Adaptation of an Abbey Theatre play by Henry Keating. Paddo nicknamed the 'Goliath of Galway" kills the father of his sons' girlfriend in a drunken rage. He is sent to prison for five years and the family pull together in the absence of a father, Willie creates a shoe-repairing business, his wife Daylia takes in lodgers while Josie forms a relationship with the village playboy.
Upon his return from prison, Paddo tries to resume his position as head of the family by attempting to control and dominate his children. When he nearly kills one of the lodgers, Willie is forced to take matters into his own hands and persuade his father to assume a subordinate position in the family.