It is 1840 and Constanza Moloney of Clonlara, Ireland is facing a big decision. Her daughter Maureen and her betrothed, Mícheál, wish to marry even though they are each only seventeen years of age. Constanza realizes that there is much her daughter must learn before she marries Mícheál. She begins to tell her tale, a tale of secret things kept hidden away for years.
In 1822, Constanza is nearly sixteen. She lives with her father and mother in Athlone, in County Westmeath. Her mother, Bronagh, teases her with the promise of a story and she visits the jobsite of her father, Geoffrey, who is restoring a church in the heart of flood damaged Athlone.