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An American, Sean Thornton (John Wayne), arrives in Ireland and plans to settle in Innisfree, where he was born. He wants to buy the Thornton cottage from well-to-do widow, Sarah Tillane (Mildred Natwick), and finds himself in a squabble with "Red" Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), a neighbor and would-be suitor of the Widow Tillane. Tillane, angered by Danaher's presumptuous attitude, sells the land to Thornton. Thornton easily fits into Innisfree, earning a reputation as a quiet, peace-loving man. Danaher, however, holds a grudge. When Thornton falls in love with Danaher's sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), the real trouble begins. Thornton learns that Ireland's quaint charm includes some old-fashioned rules of courtship. He needs Squire Danaher's consent to marry Mary Kate. He and the local shaughraun (matchmaker), Michaleen Oge Flynn (Barry Fitzgerald), pay a formal visit to Danaher to ask for Mary Kate's hand. Danaher refuses and orders the two men out of his house. Sean and Mary Kate are devastated. Sean is puzzled by social rules that seem archaic to him.
Thornton's newfound friends, including Flynn and Father Lonergan (Ward Bond), concoct a humorous plot to trick Danaher into consenting to the marriage. Squire Danaher, furious upon learning that he has been duped, reneges on Mary Kate's promised dowry of 350 pounds gold. The money is a trifle to Sean Thornton, who refuses to "shame" himself by begging for it. Mary Kate perceives Sean's lack of action as cowardice, and refuses her new groom his marital privileges. Tension builds in Innisfree, a highly sporting community, as the townspeople hope for a fight between Thornton and Danaher; but, Thornton refrains from fighting. He suffers the guilt of a terrible secret, which only the Reverend Playfair (Arthur Shields) knows. Father Lonergan counsels Mary Kate about her duties as a married woman. Although Mary Kate acquiesces, she feels that the dowerless marriage is improper and leaves Sean. To Sean, this is the last straw. He goes to the train station, literally drags his wife back to Squire Danaher's, and demands the dowry. When Sean threatens to call off the marriage, Danaher gives up the dowry. Sean gains some insight into his wife's obsession about the dowry and learns that Danaher is, indeed, a worthy opponent. The townsfolk of Innisfree are treated to the long-awaited fight between "Red" Will Danaher and Sean Thornton, the outcome of which will affect the young couple's future.
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