Thomas O'Neill was known to all in the Pound Looney area of the city as "Big Tom," both for the size of his stature and the importance he held as head of the O'Neill Clan in West Belfast. An Englishman might say he "ruled" West Belfast but this would miss the Irish tradition in which Big Tom, in his way of life and integrity, was given this title without asking or taking - he was "Big Tom" and that's who he was, and Gerry was proud he was his father, his "Da." He told Gerry and his brothers they could hold their heads high, knowing they were descended from Irish kings and princes, even though they now lived under the yoke of the British 'occupation' of the North of Ireland. When Gerry discovers his true identity he must unravel a mystery which links two families back to the16th century - the family of Red Hugh O'Neill the last Earl of Ulster and the other his mortal enemy and founder of Belfast, Sir Arthur Chichester himself.