Major Brendan Archer travels to Ireland - to the Majestic Hotel and the fiancee he acquired on a rash afternoon's love three years ago. The lady, however, proves elusive and the Major's engagement short-lived. But he is unable to detach himself from the alluring discomforts of the crumbling hotel. So hypnotic are the faded charms of the Majestic and its eccentric inhabitants, the Major is almost unaware of the gathering storm. For this is Ireland in 1919-and the struggle for independence is about to explode with brutal force.