Charting the history of Irish-American politicians from the 1800's up to John F. Kennedy's election as the first, and only, Catholic president of the United States. The series, filmed in both Ireland and America, follows the rise of Irish-American political machines in cities like New York, Boston, Kansas City and Chicago. The six-part series uses dramatic reconstructions combined with contributions from award winning authors such as Robert Caro and Jack Beatty to tell the story of six unique and powerful Irish-American Politicians whose ancestors all came to America as impoverished Irish immigrants. The Irish were the first immigrant group in the US who seized upon politics as a means of making a living and they left an indelible mark on the American political landscape which stills resonates today.