CHARACTERS AND DIALOGUE CONVENTIONS

Primary Characters

CAITRIONA PAUDEEN Newly buried

PATRICK CAITRIONA Her only son

NORA JOHNNY’S DAUGHTER Wife of Patrick Caitriona. Living in Caitriona’s house

MAUREEN Patrick Caitriona and Nora Johnny’s Daughter’s young girl

NORA JOHNNY Toejam Nora. Patrick Caitriona’s mother-in-law

BABA PAUDEEN A sister of Caitriona and of Nell. Living in America. Her will expected soon.

NELL PAUDEEN A sister of Caitriona and of Baba

JACK THE LAD Nell’s husband

PETER NELL Nell and Jack’s son

BLOTCHY BRIAN’S MAGGIE Peter Nell’s wife

BLOTCHY BRIAN JUNIOR Peter Nell and Blotchy Brian Maggie’s son. Going for the priesthood.

BLOTCHY BRIAN Maggie’s father

FIRESIDE TOM Relation of Caitriona and Nell. The two of them vying for his land.

MAGGIE FRANCES Neighbour and bosom friend of Caitriona

Other Neighbours and Acquaintances

BIDDY SARAH Keening woman, but fond of the drink

COLEY Traditional storyteller. Can’t read.

KITTY Neighbour of Caitriona’s who claimed to have lent her a pound but never got it back.

DOTIE A sentimental woman

MARGARET A friend of Kitty’s

CHALKY STEVEN He didn’t go to Caitriona’s funeral because he “hadn’t heard” about it

PETER THE PUBLICAN Pub owner. Still alive.

HUCKSTER JOAN Shopkeeper

MICHAEL KITTY Lying on top of Huckster Joan

TIM TOP OF THE ROAD Lives in a hovel at the end of the town land. Accused of stealing by neighbours.

MANNIX Lawyer who dealt with Caitriona and her family

JOHN WILLY He had a dicey heart

BREED TERRY Wants only peace and quiet in the grave

GUZZEYE MARTIN, GUT BUCKET, BLACK BANDY BARTLEY, PADDY LAWRENCE, THE FOXY COP, THE OLD MASTER, REDSER TOM and others.

Guide to Dialogue Conventions

Beginning of Talk

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Middle of Talk

Conversation, or Missing Talk