Hanrahan. A wandering poet.
Sheamus O'Heran. Engaged to Oona.
Maurya. The woman of the house.
Sheela. A neighbour.
Oona. Maurya's daughter.
Neighbours and a piper who have come to Maurya's house for a dance.
Scene. A farmer's house in Munster a hundred years ago. Men and women moving about and standing round the walls as if they had just finished a dance. Hanrahan, in the foreground, talking to Oona.
The piper is beginning a preparatory drone for another dance, but Sheamus brings him a drink and he stops. A man has come and holds out his hand to Oona, as if to lead her out, but she pushes him away.
Oona. Don't be bothering me now; don't you see I'm listening to what he is saying? (To Hanrahan) Go on with what you were saying just now.