Dan Burke

Dan Burke is characterized as a white-haired farmer and herder of cows and sheep. In a cunning ploy to assess his wife's true feelings, he pretends to be dead and listens in on her interactions with others. Dan stages his own wake in the kitchen of their cottage, overhearing conversations between his wife and the guests she warmly receives, including a tramp and a young man, Micheal Dara. His act of deception is driven by a desire to quench his thirst for whiskey, prompting him to reveal himself to the tramp in Nora’s brief absence. Upon her return, Nora’s flirtations with Micheal ignite Dan's anger. He publicly denounces her infidelity and expels both Nora and the tramp from the house. Despite his initial resentment towards Micheal, Dan’s ire softens, and he extends an invitation to Micheal to remain for a drink.

A tramp

The tramp is a transient figure who arrives at the Burke home seeking refuge for the night and the opportunity to repair his clothing. He becomes the first to uncover Dan’s charade. Earlier, he had encountered Micheal driving mountain ewes. Initially compliant with Dan’s scheme, the tramp undergoes a transformation, rising to Nora’s defense when Dan attempts to eject her from the cottage. Upon losing Dan’s temporary allegiance, the tramp offers his companionship to Nora, proposing to take care of her as they are both forced to leave the cottage together at the play's resolution.

Nora Burke

Nora Burke, the younger wife of Dan, resides in their cottage situated at the head of a secluded glen in County Wickham. Her marriage is largely predicated on the material possessions Dan offers, leaving her yearning for emotional fulfillment. Consequently, she feels a distinct lack of sorrow at her husband’s supposed death. Nora’s demeanor is notably hospitable as she graciously receives the tramp and Micheal Dara into her home. At the play's conclusion, she chooses to depart the cottage alongside the tramp, seeking a new beginning away from her unfulfilling marriage.

Micheal Dara

Micheal Dara is portrayed as a young herder, tall and innocent by nature. His interaction with Nora is marked by a proposal of marriage shortly after she invites him inside and reveals her possessions to him. Despite the unfolding drama involving Nora and Dan, Micheal remains largely unaffected, maintaining his composure. After Nora and the tramp's departure, Micheal engages in a friendly gesture with Dan, sharing a drink and toasting his health, signaling an unexpected camaraderie between the two men.