A Long Long Way Character Analysis

William “Willie” Dunne

Willie Dunne, the protagonist of A Long Long Way, is born in the winter of 1896 in Dublin, Ireland. Growing up, Willie loves his mother and admires his father, who wants Willie to… read analysis of William “Willie” Dunne

Jesse Kirwan

Jesse Kirwan is a young Irishman from Cork who joins the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during World War I. Jesse comes from a staunch nationalist family that opposes British rule in Ireland. As a follower of… read analysis of Jesse Kirwan

Christy Moran

Christy Moran, an Irishman from Kingstown in County Dublin, is the sergeant-major of Willie’s company in the British Army. Christy speaks roughly and curses often. He complains bitterly about the British Army’s poor treatment… read analysis of Christy Moran

Father Buckley

Father Buckley is a Catholic priest who serves as the chaplain in Willie’s company in the British Army. Father Buckley accompanies Willie and his fellow soldiers on the Western Front, holding Mass and offering… read analysis of Father Buckley

Pete O’Hara

Pete O’Hara, a young Irish soldier from Sligo, is a member of Willie’s company in the British Army. O’Hara becomes one of Willie’s close friends as they survive the first years of the war… read analysis of Pete O’Hara

James Patrick Dunne (Willie’s Father)

James Dunne, Willie’s father, is a tall, stern man from County Wicklow, Ireland. He’s Catholic, and as a unionist, he believes in loyalty to the British crown. In 1912, he becomes chief superintendent of… read analysis of James Patrick Dunne (Willie’s Father)

Gretta Lawlor

Gretta Lawlor is the love of Willie Dunne’s life. She and her father, Mr. Lawlor, live in a slum tenement under Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. When she first meets Willie, Gretta is… read analysis of Gretta Lawlor

Mr. Lawlor

Mr. Lawlor lives with his daughter Gretta in a slum tenement under Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. He’s a supporter of James Larkin, a prominent Irish trade union leader. In 1913, Mr. Lawlor receives a… read analysis of Mr. Lawlor

Captain George Pasley

George Pasley is the young Irish captain of Willie’s platoon in the British Army at the beginning of the war. He’s confident, pensive, and respected by all the men under his command. He becomes… read analysis of Captain George Pasley

Joe Kielty

Joe Kielty, a young Irishman from County Mayo, is a member of Willie’s company in the British Army. His cousin, Joe McNulty, dies in the gas attack near St. Julian, but Joe Kielty… read analysis of Joe Kielty

Dolly Dunne

Dolly is Willie’s youngest sister. She’s born when Willie is 11 years old, and their mother dies giving birth to her. As a result, Dolly grows up without a mother, but she receives loving… read analysis of Dolly Dunne

Major Stokes

Major Stokes is a British officer in the British Army. He treats Irish soldiers with disdain and contempt, and he insults Willie callously. As the chairman of the court-martial, Major Stokes orders Jesse Kirwan’s… read analysis of Major Stokes

Quigley

Quigley is a young Irish soldier who joins Willie’s company on the Western Front in early 1916. His first experience of war is the battle at Hulluch, during which he’s exposed to poisonous gas… read analysis of Quigley

Timmy Weekes

Timmy Weekes is a young, good-natured soldier from London who joins Willie’s platoon at the beginning of 1917. Although he’s an Englishman, he quickly befriends Willie and the other Irish soldiers in the company… read analysis of Timmy Weekes

Joe Clancy

Clancy is a young man from south Dublin who joins the Royal Dublin Fusiliers around the same time Willie does. Clancy befriends Willie and Johnnie Williams during their training in Cork, and the three soldiers… read analysis of Joe Clancy

Maud Dunne

Maud is Willie’s oldest sister. She loves Willie and is happy to see him when he returns home from the war. Maud is responsible for taking care of her younger sisters, and she generally… read analysis of Maud Dunne

Annie Dunne

Annie is Willie’s second-youngest sister. She loves Willie and is excited to see him when he returns home from the war. By the fall of 1917, Annie has strong opinions about the conflict in… read analysis of Annie Dunne

John “Johnnie” Williams

Williams is a young Irishman who joins the Royal Dublin Fusiliers around the same time Willie does. Williams, Willie, and their third friend Joe Clancy undergo training in Cork and their first experiences of war… read analysis of John “Johnnie” Williams

William Beatty

William Beatty is an Ulsterman from the 36th Division of the British Army. In the winter of 1916, he participates in a boxing match that the soldiers put on for entertainment while in reserve on… read analysis of William Beatty

Miko Cuddy

Miko Cuddy, an Irishman from Mayo, is a soldier in the 16th Division of the British Army. In the winter of 1916, he takes part in a boxing match that the soldiers put on for… read analysis of Miko Cuddy

Minor Characters

Willie’s Mother

Wife of James Dunne, Willie’s mother is a loving parent. When Willie is a young boy, she often asks him to sing for her because she likes his singing voice. She dies giving birth to her fourth child, Dolly, when Willie is 11 years old.

Dempsey

Dempsey is a builder in Dublin. When Willie is 16 years old, he starts working for Dempsey as an apprentice. Dempsey refuses to hire laborers who belong to a workers’ union, and he and his employees work throughout the general strike in Dublin in 1913.

Captain Sheridan

Captain Sheridan is the new leader of Willie’s company in the British Army after Captain Pasley’s death. Captain Sheridan is a cheerful young man from Cavan, Ireland, and he’s fond of marching songs. He dies from multiple gunshot wounds during the capture of Guinchy.

Biggs

Second Lieutenant Biggs, a quiet man from London, becomes the new leader of Willie’s platoon after Captain Sheridan dies. In June 1917, during the battle on the Messines ridge, Biggs is killed by a flare.

Joe McNulty

Joe McNulty is Joe Kielty’s cousin. He’s from County Mayo, Ireland, and he’s a member of Willie’s company in the British Army. He dies during the gas attack near St. Julian.

A Long Long Way

Sebastian Barry

A Long Long Way Characters