Romantic drama about a forbidden love set in a religious irish community in the 1960s when geologist michael allan hawco arrives in ballyvaughan to carry out some research he meets and soon falls for cathleen sarah greene who is set for a life in a convent and as a result is confused about her own feelings as the two get to know each other some of the townsfolk show their disapproval through violent means but michael is determined not to give up on his love