Maurya is an elderly mother living in a small cottage on Inishmaan, an isolated Aran Island. Having already lost her husband, her father-in-law, and several sons to the harsh sea, she lives in a constant state of dread regarding her surviving male relatives. She relies heavily on a mix of Christian prayers and pagan superstitions to cope with her severe environment.

Cathleen is Maurya's older daughter, an industrious young woman who assumes much of the household's daily labor. She attempts to manage her mother's emotional well-being by hiding upsetting news and urging proper traditional send-offs for travelers. She approaches the dangers of island life with a pragmatic mindset, balancing the local priest's religious reassurances with ancient local superstitions.

Nora is Maurya's younger daughter, assisting her sister Cathleen in maintaining the family cottage. She serves as a vital link to the outside community, bringing news and items from the local parish back home. She possesses a keen memory for details, particularly regarding the specific garments she hand-stitches for her relatives.

Bartley is Maurya's last remaining son currently at home, a young man determined to cross the rough sea to Connemara. As the primary provider for the family, he prioritizes economic survival and selling his pony at the fair over his mother's intense fears. He dismisses his mother's dark premonitions in favor of executing his practical duties.

Michael is Maurya's son who recently vanished during a sea crossing. Though he does not physically appear in the cottage, his unknown fate dominates the family's thoughts and dictates their cautious behavior around their grieving mother.

The local Catholic priest serves as a spiritual authority on the island. He represents the Christian influence in the community, offering theological reassurances that God will protect the remaining men of the family. His confident statements often clash with the family's deep-rooted dread of the ocean.