The people of Copperkin make big sacrifices to keep their Irish culture -dance, music, and language- alive, and no one works harder than Meggy. In her short life, Meggy has protected her beloved hedge school from traitorous spies, cruel landlords and English soldiers and even saved her teacher's life!

Now Meggy faces the toughest task of all. When her dad is hurt in a mining accident, she competes to become County Kerry's new dance teacher - and wins. But that's only the beginning. She must take to the road, going from village to village, teaching in secret, with fear her constant companion. Three things spur her on: her love for her family, love for the dance and the need to keep one step ahead of her exasperatingly devoted beau, Roddy McSorley!