The unnamed protagonist is a young boy growing up in a Catholic, working-class family in Derry, Northern Ireland. He possesses a deep curiosity about his family's past, particularly the mysterious disappearance of his Uncle Eddie. He is observant and intelligent, often seeking refuge in library books to understand the world outside his politically divided city.

The narrator's mother is a central figure in the household who carries an air of mystery and sorrow. She frequently reports seeing ghosts, suggesting she harbors unspoken anxieties. She is highly protective of her family's privacy and actively discourages her son from asking questions about the past.

Frank, the narrator's father, works as an electrician's mate at the British Naval Base. In his youth, he was a boxer who dreamed of attending university but assumed responsibility for his siblings after his parents' early deaths. He maintains a strict demeanor and carries unspoken grief regarding his brother Eddie's disappearance.

Eddie is the narrator's paternal uncle who vanished in April 1922. According to local rumors, he disappeared following a shootout between the Irish Republican Army and the police at an old distillery. Though absent from the present-day events, his memory casts a long shadow over the entire family.

The narrator's maternal grandfather is a quiet, authoritative figure in the family. He possesses deep roots in the community and holds long-standing grudges related to Derry's political conflicts. His deteriorating health prompts the narrator to spend more time at his bedside.

Sergeant Burke is a representative of the local police force in Derry, an institution deeply distrusted by the Catholic nationalist community. He uses intimidation tactics to maintain control and actively works to turn local boys against one another.

Katie is the narrator's maternal aunt. She spends significant time at her sister's house, often entertaining the children with local folklore and ghost stories. She faces social stigma in the community as a single mother, having been abandoned by her husband shortly after their wedding.

Tony is Aunt Katie's husband who left Derry for Chicago years ago. He disappeared shortly after his wedding while Katie was pregnant with their daughter, leaving behind lingering questions about his sudden departure.

Liam is the narrator's older brother, two years his senior. He shares many of the narrator's experiences growing up in Derry, from exploring old forts to facing police brutality, and often advises his younger brother on how to handle town bullies and community reputation.

Una is the narrator's younger sister. She contracts meningitis at a young age, bringing severe illness into the crowded household and forcing the family to face profound grief.

Crazy Joe is a local fixture in Derry who spends much of his time at the library. Following a mysterious incident in his youth, he suffered a mental decline and spent time in an asylum. He frequently shares cryptic local legends and historical gossip with the narrator.

Ena is the narrator's paternal aunt. After her parents died of a fever, she was sent away with her sister to live with relatives, where she was treated poorly. Her ongoing illness highlights the lack of adequate medical care available to the working-class residents of Derry.

Bernadette is the narrator's paternal aunt. Like Ena, she was displaced following the early deaths of her parents and forced to work like a servant in a relative's home, an event that triggered a permanent family feud.