Synopsis
- Act I
It is 1798. Lady Maude, widow of Lord Estabrook, an English lady, is the mistress of Castle Sligo, creating resentment among the Irish locals. Shaun Dhu leads a band of smugglers and revolutionaries on the Western coast of Ireland that includes Barry O'Day. The band stores its loot at Biddy's Black Bull Inn. Lady Maude and her niece, Eileen, stop at the Inn when their carriage breaks down. Barry O'Day protects them from some village drunks. Colonel Lester, the local British authority, comes to arrest Barry for treason, but he escapes as Lady Maude's groom.
- Act II
Later, at Castle Sligo, Lady Maude has developed affection for Barry. Eileen explains that Barry is a rogue. Nevertheless, Maude decides to help Barry escape again from the Colonel by putting a coachman's uniform on her guest, Sir Reggie, making him a decoy. Sir Reggie is arrested and sentenced to death before the Colonel learns that he has been fooled and that Barry has gotten away again.
- Act III
By the time of Lady Maude's birthday, Eileen and Barry have fallen in love. Learning that Barry is there, the Colonel has his men surround the castle. Barry surrenders, and he is about to be shot, when news arrives that the King has pardoned the rebels. The arrest is reversed, various couples are united, including Barry and Eileen, and it is declared that "Ireland shall stand among all nations of the world."
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