Moybeg, Northern Ireland, 1943. The parish residents are coming to terms with the recent arrival of a huge US Army Air Force base which has landed in the heart of their community. As it brings the reality of the war closer to the residents, they have to learn to live alongside the U.S service men and women. Captain Ronald Dreyfuss approaches Michael and Rose Coyne for help in finding ways to smooth relations between the two sides, but the cultural differences are highlighted no more than when the Coyne's teenage daughter, Emma, catches the eye of Lieutenant Frank Barnhill. Whilst Dreyfuss finds a kindred spirit in Rose, the fallout of Barnhill's actions has far reaching effects amongst the community.