In the winter of 1951, a storyteller arrives at the home of nine-year-old Ronan O'Mara in the Irish countryside. This storyteller is the last practitioner of an honored, centuries-old tradition known as the Seanchai. For three magical evenings, he enthralls his assembled audience with narratives of foolish kings, fabled saints, and Ireland's enduring accomplishments.

However, after being banished for blasphemy, he moves on, but not before leaving a lasting impression on young Ronan. These unforgettable nights set Ronan on a path he will follow for years, as he pursues the elusive, itinerant storyteller and the magical tales that weave the glorious saga of his tenacious, troubled, and extraordinary isle.