The Thorn Birds - List of Characters

List of Characters

• Meghann "Meggie" Cleary — The central character, the only daughter in a large family of sons. The novel takes her from early childhood to old age.
• Father Ralph de Bricassart — Meggie's true love, a handsome Irish Catholic priest.
• Padraic "Paddy" Cleary — Meggie's father, a kind and simple labouring Irishman.
• Fiona "Fee" Armstrong Cleary — Paddy's wife and Meggie's mother, an aristocratic woman who has come down in the world.
• Francis "Frank" Armstrong Cleary — Meggie's eldest brother, Fee's illegitimate first son. A favourite with Meggie and Fee both.
• Mary Elizabeth Cleary Carson — Paddy's immensely wealthy older sister; Father Ralph's benefactor; owner of Drogheda.
• Luke O'Neill — Meggie's husband during an unhappy three-year marriage; father of Justine.
• Dane O'Neill — Son of Meggie and Ralph, Meggie's pride and joy, drowned in Greece at the age of twenty-six.
• Justine O'Neill — Daughter of Meggie and Luke, an intelligent, independent girl. At the end, she is the only surviving grandchild of Paddy and Fee Cleary.
• Luddie and Anne Mueller — Meggie's employers during her marriage to Luke. They become lifelong friends.
• Bob, Jack, and Hughie Cleary — Meggie's older brothers. They all resemble Paddy and live out their days, unmarried, on Drogheda.
• Stuart "Stu" Cleary — A quiet, kindly boy who resembles his mother and is closest to Meggie in age.
• Harold "Hal" Cleary — Meggie's cherished baby brother. He dies when he's four years old.
• James and Patrick "Jims and Patsy" Cleary — Twin boys, Meggie's youngest brothers.
• Rainer "Rain" Moerling Hartheim — Friend of Ralph and eventually Dane. Member of the West German Parliament and eventual husband of Justine.
• Archbishop (later Cardinal) Vittorio di Contini-Verchese — Ralph's mentor, friend to Rainer and Dane.