Character-driven tale of friendship between two young cousins in conflict-ridden Ireland, before and during the Troubles in the Sixties.
Seven-year-old Claddagh has secrets she can’t even share with her cousin and best friend, Megra. As she approaches her teenage years, Claddagh develops mistrust and love-hate feelings towards the opposite sex. Megra on the other hand is too fond of fellows (and sometimes girls), and when she spends time with them, Claddagh feels abandoned by her. Working at age fourteen, Claddagh dreams of a future less dim, and if the opportunity ever comes up, she'll take off to England.
A civil rights movement becomes active in Northern Ireland. Catholics take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations, demanding the same rights as Protestants, but Protestants fear the Pope will step in and rule all of Ireland. Petrol bombs fly.
The British Army is sent across the Irish Sea to help keep Catholics and Protestants apart. Claddagh falls in love with one of the young soldiers but must also keep this a secret – except from Megra.