A documentary on the life of the people of the Aran Islands, who were believed to contain the essence of the ancient Irish life, represented by a pure uncorrupted peasant existence centred around the struggle between man and his hostile but magnificent surroundings. A blend of documentary and fictional narrative, the film captures the everyday trials of life on Ireland's unforgiving Aran Islands.

• Gainsborough Pictures
• Colman 'Tiger' King
• Maggie Dirrane
• Michael Dirrane
• Pat Mullin of Aran
• Patch 'Red Beard' Ruadh
• Patcheen Faherty
• Tommy O'Rourke
• Stephen Dirrane