The Playboy of the Western World Character Analysis

Christopher “Christy” Mahon

Christy Mahon is the central character of the play. He arrives at Michael Flaherty’s village pub on the run from the law, hoping he can find shelter. When he reveals his crime—the murder of… read analysis of Christopher “Christy” Mahon

Pegeen Mike

Pegeen, whose full name is Margaret Flaherty, is the forthright and attractive young barmaid at the village pub, and the daughter of Michael Flaherty. When the play opens, Pegeen is engaged to wed her… read analysis of Pegeen Mike

Widow Quin

Widow Quin is a woman of thirty years who acts as a kind of rival to Pegeen Mike. Not much is told about her past, but the audience does find out that she killed… read analysis of Widow Quin

Old Mahon / Christy’s Father

Old Mahon is Christy Mahon’s father. Christy thinks that he has killed his father with a blow to the head, and describes him as tyrannical, rude, and a drunk. Before too long, though, Old… read analysis of Old Mahon / Christy’s Father

Shawn Keogh

Shawn Keogh is Pegeen Mike’s fat and fair second cousin. At the start of the play, he is due to marry her, waiting only on special dispensation from the local priest, Father Reilly… read analysis of Shawn Keogh

Michael James Flaherty / Pegeen’s Father

Michael Flaherty is the rotund and jovial owner of the village pub. He is absent from most of the play, attending a wake with his friends Philly O’Cullen and Jimmy Farrell. He is Pegeen… read analysis of Michael James Flaherty / Pegeen’s Father

Philly O’Cullen

Jimmy Farrell is one of the regulars at Michael Flaherty’s pub, and a good friend of the owner too. When Old Mahon comes to the pub looking for his son, Philly begins to suspect… read analysis of Philly O’Cullen

Sara Tansey

Sara Tansey is one of the four giggly young village girls who live near Michael Flaherty’s pub. They make an appearance in Act Two, eager to hear Christy Mahon’s fearsome story of killing… read analysis of Sara Tansey

Minor Characters

Father Reilly

Father Reilly never appears in the play, but is an unseen religious authority. He is the local priest, whom Shawn is eager to please in order to get approval for his proposed marriage to his second cousin, Pegeen Mike.

Jimmy Farrell

Jimmy Farrell is one of the regulars at Michael Flaherty’s pub, and a good friend of the owner. He is a farmer who lives nearby.

Susan Brady

Susan Brady is one of the four young and giggly village girls who live near Michael Flaherty’s pub. She and her friends appear in Act Two, eager to hear Christy Mahon’s impressive story of killing his father, Old Mahon.

Honor Blake

Honor Blake lives near Michael Flaherty’s pub and is one of the four giggling girls who is keen to hear Christy Mahon’s story of killing his father, Old Mahon.

Nelly McLaughlin

Nelly McLaughlin is one of the four young village girls who live near Michael Flaherty’s pub. She and her friends fawn over Christy Mahon and his gruesome story of killing his father, Old Mahon. Nelly gives Christy a hen from her farm as a present.