Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class neighborhood to resume his life as a boxer.

Daniel Day-Lewis
as Danny Flynn

Emily Watson
as Maggie Hamill

Brian Cox
as Joe Hamill

Ken Stott
as Ike Weir

Gerard McSorley
as Harry

David Hayman
as Joe Hamill's Aide

Kenneth Cranham
as Matt MaGuire

Lorraine Pilkington
as Bride

Niall Shanahan
as Groom

John Wall
as Priest