Plot Summary

In 1940s Dublin schoolboys Dave and John Tynan-O'Mahony suffer at the hands of sadistic teacher Sister Mary, and thirty years later, Dave, under the name of Dave Allen, will take massive swipes at Catholicism in his television comedy shows, along with differing accounts of how he lost a finger in childhood. As teenagers the brothers move to England as Butlins redcoats with Dave's gift for comedy leading to highly successful TV work, often courting controversy, due to its anti-Catholic material. John, on the other hand, sinks into alcoholism and an early death though when Dave's career starts to wane John inadvertently gives him the inspiration to continue for a few more years.