This documentary is based on ‘Rotha Mór an tSaoil’, the autobiography of Mici MacGowan (1865-1948) who was born in Cloch Cheann Fhaola in the Donegal Gaeltacht. From the age of nine he was hired out for six consecutive years, eventually leaving for America where he worked his way across the USA to Montana. Written in Irish, his philosophy for dealing with the harsh conditions was simple: "casadh ann mé agus char casadh as mé agus b'éigean domh a mhaith a dhéanamh de" [that's where I found myself with no alternative and I had to make the best of it]. The migrant workers had to dig deep within themselves to find the resources of friendship, community and courage to survive and to plant the seeds of hope their children would harvest. The story is illustrated with archive material and early silent film and documentary footage.