A tale of two orphans: brothers growing up in the odour of good whiskey and bad cooking. Into the house of the disputatious Mr. Collopy come two orphaned boys, brothers Manus and Finbarr. This is a tale of growing up in the midst of eccentricity: Mr. Collopy is engaged in mysterious humanitarian work on behalf of women and enjoys progressive-sounding and often blasphemous arguments with his priest, a German Jesuit called Father Fahrt. Manus quickly proves himself a master of business while Finbarr watches and waits. Soon, Collopy embarks on a trip to Rome... Incorporating tight-ropes and Popes, the story is conveyed by O'Brien with quintessential, crazy humour.