Hugh is the headmaster and founder of a local hedge school in Baile Beag. He is a well-educated man in his mid-sixties who teaches a curriculum of Irish, Latin, and Greek literature to the villagers. As a high-functioning alcoholic, he drinks frequently but remains fiercely devoted to classical mythology, resisting the early intrusions of British cultural influence.

Manus is a soft-spoken man in his late twenties or early thirties who serves as an unpaid instructor at his father's hedge school. He wears shabby clothes due to his economic situation and has a permanent physical disability in his leg caused by a childhood accident. He harbors quiet affections for Maire but hesitates to propose because of his financial instability.

Owen is a charming and cosmopolitan man who returns to his hometown of Baile Beag after six years in Dublin. He arrives as an employee of the British army, working to translate Irish place names into English for an Ordinance Survey map. He finds himself caught between his roots and his new profession, serving as a cultural go-between for the locals and the soldiers.

George Yolland is a shy, thin, and blonde British orthographer in his late twenties or early thirties. He describes himself as an accidental soldier, having joined the army only to avoid facing his tyrannical father. As a romantic, he quickly becomes infatuated with Irish culture, language, and the local people, making him increasingly uncomfortable with his role in mapping the region.

Captain Lancey is a crisply dressed, dutiful middle-aged cartography expert in charge of creating the new Ordinance Survey maps. He approaches his assignment strictly as a colonial administrator, displaying little interest in the local culture. He feels uneasy around the Irish-speaking villagers and relies heavily on military authority to enforce cooperation.

Maire is a strong-minded and practical woman in her twenties who views the English language as a necessary tool for modern survival. She plans to immigrate to America once the local harvest is complete. Her pragmatic desire to learn English grows more complicated when she develops romantic feelings for a British soldier.

Sarah is a waif-like young woman whose severe speech impediment causes many villagers to assume she is intellectually disabled. She attends the hedge school, where Manus recognizes her intelligence and tutors her. She carefully observes the village dynamics while keeping her thoughts largely to herself.

Jimmy Jack is an intelligent and well-read bachelor in his sixties who is a longtime friend of Hugh. He lives alone, rarely bathes, and wears dirty, shabby clothing. He spends his days immersed in classical Greek and Latin texts, treating mythological figures as if they were real companions.

Doalty is an open-minded and warm-hearted young villager who attends the hedge school. Though sometimes described as slightly slow, he actively engages in quiet sabotage against the British army by moving their surveyor's poles. He is deeply invested in the local resistance movements.

Bridget is a plump and fresh country girl who attends the hedge school. She shares a mischievous nature with her partner, Doalty, though her approach to their local rebellions is more practical and tempered. She is highly observant of her environment, particularly regarding the health of the local crops.