Cushla
Cushla Lavery is a multifaceted figure with a strong moral compass in an era when moral courage was scarce. She works as a Catholic schoolteacher in a tiny military town in Northern Ireland. Cushla is gentle, sensitive, and devoted to those she cares about. She is selfless, putting the needs of her students and family first in her life. Despite the risks she takes, Cushla continues to speak up for what she believes in and is a strong advocate for her kids, particularly Davy McGeown, a boy from a mixed Catholic-Protestant household who is frequently the victim of discrimination and harassment. Cushla's bravery and unwavering commitment to justice and fairness make her an admirable figure.
Cushla is also defective and makes mistakes. Her marriage to Michael Agnew is a prime illustration of this. Cushla pursues their relationship despite knowing it is wrong, and her actions have far-reaching implications for her and those she loves. Her connection with Michael also highlights the severe tensions that existed between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland at the time. Cushla's character is thus varied and nuanced, and her story provides insight into the social realities of the time.
Eamonn
Eamonn is Cushla's brother and the manager of the family pub. After his father's death, he takes over the family pub and struggles to keep it open despite the difficult atmosphere in Northern Ireland produced by the Troubles. He is an industrious individual who is motivated to make a living despite the political climate. Eamonn also has a soft spot for Davy and tries everything he can to support him and his family. He is frequently the calming presence in an otherwise chaotic situation.
Eamonn is a guy of few words, but his deeds speak volumes. He is the type of person who will go to any length to assist those he cares about. Eamonn is a well-meaning but slightly naive and idealistic young man. He is also a very caring brother who looks out for Cushla and takes her side in her love affair with Michael. He also cares deeply for his mother who is grieving for her late husband and is struggling to cope with the situation.
Gina
Gina is the mother of Cushla and Eamonn and is described as a "self-destructive, alcoholic widow." She is a devastated lady who is still coming to terms with her husband's death and the unexpected responsibilities of being a single mother. She also despises the racism and intolerance that abound in Northern Ireland and is desperate to protect her children from the same prejudices. She is a kind mother who is determined to protect her children and is willing to go to any length to ensure that they have a brighter future. She is, nevertheless, a realist who understands that the improvements she seeks will not occur.
As the story progresses, Gina begins to realize that her daughter's relationship with Michael could have dire consequences and she is determined to protect her from the dangers involved. Despite her flaws, Gina is a loving and devoted mother who will do anything to protect Cushla and her family. She is a reminder of the generational struggles many women endured in the aftermath of The Trouble.
Michael
Michael Agnew is a multifaceted and multi-faceted character. At first impression, he appears to be an entitled and privileged lawyer from an upper-class Protestant family. He is a barrister who is experienced in defending IRA members in court and is willing to take on cases that question the RUC. He also has a tendency to speak his mind and hold strong ideas, particularly on issues of civil rights and justice.
On a deeper level, though, Michael is a fundamentally broken and lonely guy. Despite their age difference and various origins, he is married and seeks Cushla's company. He is also a man with a strong moral code and is willing to put himself in danger to help those in need. He recognizes the flaws in the system and is willing to take a stand against them.
Davy
He is a young Catholic child in Cushla's class whose parents are Catholic and his mother is Protestant. Davy and his family are frequently the focus of abuse and violence as a result of Northern Ireland's political and religious problems. Despite the danger, Cushla is determined to keep Davy safe from discrimination and violence, and she provides her support to his family.
Davy is portrayed in the story as a nice, compassionate, and resilient child who is devoted to Cushla and her family. In a dismal and repressive atmosphere, Davy represents optimism and endurance. He offers the possibility of a brighter future for Northern Ireland, one devoid of sectarianism and hate.
Priest
The Priest is presented as a narrow-minded and tyrannical character who wants to instill in the children attending Cushla's school a sense of Original Sin and Damnation. He represents the religious intolerance and bigotry that raged in Northern Ireland at the time. Despite his religious views, he is revealed to be a hypocrite who is more concerned with his power and status than with God's will.
The priest also attempts to use his position at the school to influence and control the students, as well as Cushla, whom he perceives as a challenge to his power. He is depicted as a man who is willing to utilize fear and intimidation to achieve his goals. He is also shown to be insensitive and callous as evidenced by his refusal to take any responsibility for the safety of the children in his care.
Tommy
Tommy McGeown is Davy's older brother and a young man of eighteen. He is passionately protective of his younger brother and his family. He is very wary of Cushla's presence in his family's life, seeing her as yet another 'Protestant' intruding on their privacy. He is enraged and resentful of his family's condition, and he lashes out both physically and verbally. He has a strong sense of justice and a great attachment to his community. He is a zealous advocate of the Catholic faith. He is a young man trying to make his way in life and fighting to cope with the violence in his surroundings.
At the same time, Tommy's naivety and sense of humor frequently get him into trouble. He is prone to making rash decisions such as when he joins in a fight against a rival gang and his impulsiveness often leads to trouble. He is also quick to judge and is often too quick to jump to conclusions, which can lead to conflict.
Michael's Protestant friends
Michael's Protestant friends are depicted as a diverse bunch of people, each with a distinct personality and point of view. Because of her religion and inferior socioeconomic level, some of them are seen to have a sense of superiority towards Cushla. They are also concerned about Michael's relationship with Cushla and how it would harm his reputation and career. Regardless of their disagreements, they are all united in their support for Michael and his cause, which is to combat the Diplock courts and the RUC.
They are also represented as courageous, sticking up for their ideas and refusing to back down in the face of adversity. They are also seen as being compassionate and understanding, willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, such as Davy’s family. These qualities show that Michael’s friends are not just a bunch of elite snobs but are people of substance and integrity.
