Sean Thornton (John Wayne) a prize fighter from America returns to the place of his birth, Inisfree, to settle down after killing a man in the ring. White O'Mornin' is the name of the house where he was born. After buying the house, his troubles begin. Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen) who owned alot of land, had always wanted White O'Mornin' because it joined his land. Danaher was also the village bully. Sean meets and falls in love with Danaher's lovely sister Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), and everyone eagerly waits for the fireworks to begin.