A party of Americans visiting the Lakes of Killarney. Ireland, hear the sound of sweet music coming from a nearby cottage. On investigation they find a young man playing the violin and in rapt attention his old mother sitting by the fireside. One of the tourists, John Foster, recognizing the musical genius, gives the lad, Terence, his card and tells him if he ever comes to America to call and see him at his office. For weeks and months after the tourists have paid their visit to the humble cottage Terence dreams of a musical career in the States. To gratify his desire his self-sacrificing mother surrenders her life's savings to pay the boy's passage. Arriving in America Terence locates the office of John Foster and tells of his ambition. The kind-hearted banker arranges to start the Irish boy on his career. A year later we find Terence the lion of the season, but sad to say he thinks seldom of his old mother and Killarney. The mother in despair, when no news comes from her boy, tells her trouble to the good parish priest, who readily helps her to go in search of her son. Arriving in New York she learns that her boy is to play that night at the Opera House. Buying her ticket she climbs to the dizzy height of the gallery and listens enraptured to her son's performance. One of the stage hands of whom she inquires her son's home address offers to pilot her to his home. Arriving at the house the butler refuses them admittance, but the husky stage hand forces his way in and insists that Terence be advised of his mother's presence. Although surrounded by a party of friends, Terence at the sound of his mother's voice rushes to the anteroom, embraces her and brings her into the room. He presents her to his friends, telling them her self-sacrifice made it possible for him to achieve the results he has obtained.