After travelling through Europe for two years, Fred Scully, his wife Jennifer, and their seven-year-old daughter Billie wind up in Ireland. On a mystical whim of Jennifer's, they buy an old farmhouse which stands in the shadow of a castle. While Fred spends weeks alone renovating the old house, Jennifer returns to their home in Australia to liquidate their assets. When Fred arrives at Shannon Airport to pick up Jennifer and Billie, it is Billie who emerges—alone. There is no note, no explanation, not so much as a word from Jennifer, and the shock has left Billie speechless. In that instant, Fred's life falls to pieces.