This play is enacted during the stormy days when Robert Emmett tried vainly to free Ireland. Con Daly loves Nora Doyle, who lives with her mother in a little cottage amid the hills and dales of old Erin. In a cave nearby the men who would free Ireland are making arms and ammunition. Robert Emmett visits them, and then goes into the enemy's camp disguised as a flute player, and returns safely. The constabulary visits a family and a riot starts, and as a result Major Kirk is shot. Desperately wounded, he is taken to the home of Mrs. Doyle. Nora and Con nurse him back to health.

Eileen Donaghue loves Myles Murphy, a match which is approved by Mrs Donaghue. Colonel Reid of the British Army employs an informer, Fagin, who has designs on Eileen, but Myles gives him a beating for his presumption. As a result, Fagin tells Reid that Myles is plotting against the Crown.

A young man leaves Ireland for America, but doesn't forget home.