A young, unassuming man who stumbles into a County Mayo pub claiming to be on the run from the law. Despite his slight and timid physical appearance, he becomes an instant local celebrity when he reveals he struck his father with a loy. Christy possesses a hidden flair for poetic language and storytelling, quickly adapting to the admiration of the locals while harboring a deep-seated vanity.

Christy's aging, strong-willed father. According to Christy's vivid stories, he is a domineering patriarch who continually tormented his son and attempted to force him into an unwanted marriage. Their explosive, violent relationship is the catalyst that sends Christy fleeing across the Irish countryside.

The jovial, frequently inebriated owner of the local pub in County Mayo. He often leaves his daughter to manage the establishment alone while he attends wakes and drinks with his friends. He values traditional notions of masculine bravery over pious obedience, prompting him to quickly hire a self-proclaimed murderer to guard his tavern.

A fierce, strong-willed young woman of about twenty who runs her father's pub. She has a reputation for her biting tongue and sharp temper, refusing to conform to the expectations of the timid men around her. Despite her hardened exterior, she possesses a romantic streak and is immediately captivated by Christy's poetic language and supposed bravery.

A young, timid farmer and Pegeen Mike's self-proclaimed fiancé. He is paralyzed by his strict adherence to religious rules and his terror of upsetting the local priest. Shawn's cowardice and lack of poetic charm make him an unappealing match for the fiery Pegeen Mike, and he feels instantly threatened by Christy's arrival.

A pragmatic, independent woman in her thirties who is known throughout the village for killing her husband. She uses her scandalous reputation and shrewd negotiating skills to secure her own social and economic advantages. Unbothered by traditional morals, she quickly sets her sights on seducing the intriguing new pot-boy.

The unseen village priest who exerts massive influence over the local community. He represents the strict moral authority of the Catholic Church, instilling a paralyzing fear of damnation and scandal in his devout parishioners.

A local farmer and frequent patron of Michael James's pub. He quickly buys into the romanticization of violence, praising the bravery of a young man willing to attack his own father with a loy.

A local farmer who spends his time drinking at the pub. Like his friends, he is highly susceptible to the village's excitement and readily embraces Christy as a local hero based entirely on his violent tall tales.

One of the eligible village girls who flocks to the pub to fawn over Christy. She is thrilled by the prospect of interacting with a dangerous man and brings him gifts of her finest duck eggs to win his favor.