War between two Irish youth gangs consists of removing and retrieving buttons from each other's clothing.

One Man's Hero tells the little-known story of the "St. Patrick's Battalion" or "San Patricios," a group of mostly Irish and other immigrants of the Catholic faith who deserted to Mexico after encountering religious and ethnic prejudice in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. The plot centers around the personal story of John Riley, an Irishman who had been a sergeant in the American Army who is commissioned as a captain in the Mexican army and commands the battalion, as he leads his men in battle and struggles with authorities on both sides of the border

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

A young army reservist, Tony Doyle, embarks on Annual Military Camp. Doyle, as well as trying to come to terms with the painful memories of his boyhood, must also face the brutal realities of his present-day army life. As he bears witness to more and more acts of victimization inflicted on weaker colleagues by the barracks bully, he realizes that he cannot change the past. Will he have the strength, however, to tackle the present and take responsibility for his future, as he struggles for control in the face of constant provocation?