(Reel 1) Beamish McCoul joined the Irish insurrection and had become a leader in the movement when he was arrested and placed in Wicklow Jail. His property was confiscated by the authorities. When his followers learned of his imprisonment, they perfected a plot for his escape, which involved a rope, a fast horse and a boat to carry him from the country. Arrah Meelish, the prisoner's foster sister, volunteered to carry the idea of their plot to him. She approached the armed sentinels and begged permission to kiss her brother farewell, as the next day would bring about his execution. While kissing him a note was slipped from her mouth to his without being detected by the wardens. Later the guards were seized and Beamish made his escape from the prison, hurried to his sweetheart, Fanny Powers, bid her farewell and left for France. Four years Beamish spent in reckless exile, and, unable to endure it longer, returned to Ireland.