The Secret of Roan Inish is told like an Irish folktale or fairytale. It focuses on the importance of family, passing on stories and a place to call "home."

Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents and her cousin Eamon when her father cannot take care of her. She learns of her family history through the stories passed on through her grandparents. The Coneely Family had lived on the Island of Roan Inish (in Ireland) for many generations until they left to find work on the mainland.

Fiona learns that her younger brother Jamie had been lost at sea in a storm when he was an infant. She learns of the stories that he is still seen, floating in his cradle and guided by the mystical selkies. Selkies are half human, half seal and they live on Roan Inish. Tadgh Coneely, who some think is crazy, tells Fiona the story of the "dark ones" in the Coneely family. Lam Coneely married a selkie, Nuala, and their children and their descendents are dark ones: they are born with dark hair and love the sea, seagulls and seals.

Fiona wants her family to go back to Roan Inish, and she wants her brother Jamie to return to the Island and live with her family. Fiona wanders all over Roan Inish and glimpses Jamie, but he flees. Eamon and Fiona repaint the family houses and put on new roofs. They clean the houses and make them habitable. Their grandparents have been forced to move out of their home on the mainland, and they consider moving further inland. Once they move in, Fiona can only hope for Jamie’s return, but he is torn between the sea and his family, as he is a "dark one."

The movie shows the importance of close friends and family as Fiona searches to make her family complete. The music, which is Celtic, enhances the story and it is well-matched to the plot. The scenery is beautiful and mystical, and much of the movie takes place over the foggy ocean.

This is a good family movie; it is all about the importance of family and home. It is good for all ages, and it is simple, honest and straightforward. The themes are universal and easy to understand.