Meghann "Meggie" Cleary – The central character, the only daughter in a large family of sons. The novel takes her from early childhood to old age.
Father Ralph de Bricassart – Meggie's true love, a handsome Irish Catholic priest.
Padraic "Paddy" Cleary – Meggie's father, a kind and simple labouring Irishman.
Fiona "Fee" Armstrong Cleary – Paddy's wife and Meggie's mother, an aristocratic woman who has come down in the world.
Francis "Frank" Armstrong Cleary – Meggie's eldest brother, Fee's out-of-wedlock first son, Paddy's stepson. A favourite with Meggie and Fee both. Becomes a prizefighter.
Mary Elizabeth Cleary Carson – Paddy's immensely wealthy older sister; Father Ralph's benefactor; owner of Drogheda.
Luke O'Neill – Meggie's husband during an unhappy three-year marriage; father of Justine.
Dane O'Neill – Son of Meggie and Ralph, Meggie's pride and joy, drowned in Greece at the age of twenty-six.
Justine O'Neill – Daughter of Meggie and Luke, an intelligent, independent girl. At the end, she is the only surviving grandchild of Paddy and Fee Cleary.
Luddie and Anne Mueller – Meggie's employers during her marriage to Luke. They become lifelong friends.
Bob, Jack, and Hughie Cleary – Meggie's older brothers. They all resemble Paddy and live out their days, unmarried, on Drogheda.
Stuart "Stu" Cleary – A quiet, kindly boy who resembles his mother and is closest to Meggie in age.
Harold "Hal" Cleary – Meggie's cherished baby brother. He dies when he's four years old.
James and Patrick "Jims and Patsy" Cleary – Twin boys, Meggie's youngest brothers.
Rainer "Rain" Moerling Hartheim – Friend of Ralph and eventually Dane. Member of the West German Parliament and eventual husband of Justine.
Archbishop (later Cardinal) Vittorio di Contini-Verchese – Ralph's mentor, friend to Rainer and Dane.
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