The Daffodil Field

Based largely on the true story of two Irish brothers who found themselves on opposite sides in 1916. EPISODE ONE Christy Geraghty joins the Irish Guards to fight against the Germans in the Great War. As a member of the Irish Volunteers, he believes the words of John Redmond, who thinks that the Irish will be granted Home Rule if they help the British in the war. Christy is badly wounded at the Battle of Loos in September 1915 and is sent back to England to recuperate. Still in a convalescent hospital in March 1916, he is granted two week's leave to visit his family in Ireland for Easter. Christy arrives back to a country he barely recognises. So much has changed in subtle ways. Many families have experienced the loss of loved ones in the war and the young men of Ireland are scared and angry that they might be forced to fight. Conscription is about to begin on the mainland and there's a rumour that it will be imposed in Ireland as well. Certain elements are eager to use this to sow unrest in the country. Christy's younger brother, Eamonn, feels Christy has betrayed his people by joining the British Army. Eamonn himself has joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood and he knows that an uprising is planned for Easter. Jane, mother to the two boys, tries to persuade Christy to desert from the army and he's tempted - but the bond he has developed with his comrades in arms back in France is strong and Christy is torn. EPISODE TWO Christy goes in search of the love he left behind, but he finds her quite changed. She no longer loves him and blames him for breaking her heart when he left to fight in France. When the orders to mobilise for a country-wide rebellion are countermanded by Eoin MacNeil, Eamonn sets-off to join the Fingall Brigade in its attack on Ashbourne Police Barracks. Christy, who has first hand experience of fighting a pitched battle goes in search of his brother and becomes an unwilling participant in the only battle fought outside of Dublin during the Rising - and the only battle the rebels won. During the battle Christy must save his brother's life and, by posing as a rebel, save the lives of twelve policemen. Unwilling to leave his wounded brother, Christy surrenders alongside the rebels and is marched-off as a prisoner of the British. Christy is imprisoned by the British as a rebel, but they soon discover that he is a serving British soldier. Now he finds himself facing the firing squad for treason and desertion. EPISODE THREE Just before he is due to face the firing squad, two British officers step-forward to vouch that Christy was not aiding the rebels. The charges against him are dropped - but he is under house arrest at Dublin Castle and his chance to desert is lost for good. Considered a traitor by both sides, Christy is forced to return to France where, in that mad world of blood, death and fire, he must fight countless battles in the army his family detest, against an enemy he does not hate - for a cause he doesn't understand. EPISODE FOUR In Spring 1918, The Germans launch a devastating attack. Christy fights a desperate rearguard action to protect his friends as they withdraw in the face of the German onslaught. Christy dies alone and is buried in a foreign field that will forever be a part of England. None of his family will ever visit his graveside. Whilst Jane mourns for her fallen son, Eamonn is gearing-up for the start of a new and decisive conflict, where he will be in the vanguard: The Irish War of Independence.