This is the story of a group of young Irish-speaking men who emigrated to London in the 1970s for work, promising to return home rich. Over the years they are there, there is no time for feelings of alienation or despair. The camaraderie of their mates wins the day.

But then tragedy strikes Jackie, the youngest, the brightest, the bravest. Just before his return to Ireland, his body is found battered on the railway track, crushed by the Kilburn train. The gang gathers for a final celebration, to give Jackie a send-off fit for a king: a king of the Kilburn High Road.