War of the Buttons

In the center of Ireland in the 1960s, a white line on the river marks a border that the youths of Carrickdowse and Ballydowse refuse to cross. The 'War of the Buttons' begins as a game of pride, escalating into contests over who can outdo the other. The feud centers on capturing the other's buttons and proving dominance rather than achieving real victory.

Fergus leads the Ballys from a trailer on the edge of Ballydowse, a rough upbringing shaping his leadership. Despite his lack of formal schooling, he wins the loyalty of the Ballys with his charisma and knack for rallying the group. He becomes the driving force behind the Ballys during the feud.

Jerome, the son of a wealthy family, leads the Carricks and earns the nickname Geronimo. He embodies privilege and cool calculation, steering the Carricks with a mix of wit and stubborn resolve. His leadership sets up a sharp foil to Fergus.

The feud becomes a series of tactical skirmishes centered on taking the other side's buttons as trophies. Battles occur around the villages as each side seeks symbolic victory, with pride often taking precedence over real harm. The moral line between play and peril begins to blur.

The Ballys stage a nude ambush as part of their bid to destabilize the Carricks and claim dominance. The shocking tactic shocks both sides' communities and highlights how far the feud has spiraled. The incident marks a turning point where childish games threaten serious consequences.

Adults from both villages learn of the escalating feud and its toll on their children. They wrestle with how to intervene, facing resistance from youths who cling to their codes of honor. The conflict shifts from a private game to a public crisis.

In a public confrontation, Fergus denounces Riley as a traitor to the Ballys' cause, fracturing the movement from within. The accusation foreshadows the fractures that will erupt at the final showdown. Loyalties begin to splinter as internal rifts widen.

The Ballys launch a final assault on an abandoned castle ruin defended by the Carricks. The two sides clash in a brutal, noisy exchange that tests courage, leadership, and resolve. The Carricks fight hard but are overwhelmed during the climactic battle.

During the showdown, Geronimo is taken prisoner. In a symbolic gesture, he cuts off his buttons and gives them to Fergus, underscoring the costs of pride and the fleeting nature of victory. The moment cements the hollow victory that follows the battle.

After the battle, Geronimo drives Riley's father's tractor like a tank and levels the Bally clubhouse, ending the Ballys' sense of triumph. The destruction serves as a brutal reminder of the feud's toll on both sides. The community begins to confront the consequences of the violence.

Exhausted by the cycle of retaliation, the towns' adults reclaim their children from both sides and restore some order. The peaceful veneer is restored only after the communities face the price of ongoing feuding. The feud's social costs become clear to everyone involved.

Fergus runs to the mountains, followed by Geronimo in a rare act of solidarity. Both boys are captured and placed in the church orphanage, where, in a surprising shift, they set aside their differences. There, the unlikely friendship begins to form between them.

Marie, now an adult and the narrator, recalls the feud and reveals that she married one of the boys. The other becomes the couple's closest friend, though she intentionally withholds which one. The memory closes the tale with a quiet reflection on how the war shaped their lives.