The story, set between 1908 and 1938, is about the Moore family - hard-drinking, womanising Father Jim, downtrodden, bitter and unloving Mother Sally, and their nine children; young Jim, Harry, Jean, Mary, Cameo, Joe, Teddy, Lizzie and Alex. The tale follows the trials and tribulations of the struggling Moore family dealing with the harsh reality of life that revolves around the local weaving mill.