An island community faces its final struggle for survival. The herring shoals move beyond the reach of the islanders' small boats. Hughie Duffy, who spent time in prison and developed political ideas there, knows that the only answer is bigger boats - but there are difficulties with the government. The local 'gombeen man' sells an island holding to strangers and a No Trespass sign is put up. The close-knit community is under threat. The problem which has dogged all such island peoples emerges - survival or emigration?