This is highly unusual in the area, especially since Bernadette is a local girl whose full history is know back five generations, and who was raised by nuns in an orphanage, along with her younger sister. That lets everyone who knows her be understanding (and gossipy) about her fanaticism in regarding keeping her children clean; the nuns were not known for being easy about...well, about anything.
Of course, everyone has a theory about Eamonn the elder, who was orphaned...or was disowned...or ran away from home...but no one really knows. He's not considered a relative of the few Kinsellas people know, so it's even wondered if that's his true name. Until he's killed. Then he's all but deified and no questions about him are allowed.
Eamonn the younger is a responsible lad but also forward thinking. He believes gaining a degree from Queens will help his family far more, in the long run, than working menial jobs in Derry, and is so focused on that he doesn't have time for a girl friend. And winds up being the last man of his group not married with a kid on the way.
Mairead is already written close to how she's going to be. Not lovely but level-headed, quick-witted and sharp...and amused at the fact that boys like her boobs more than they do her eyes. She has fun with them...until she connects with Turleigh, who cuts past her defenses. She also knows how to use money and manage a tight household, which is why Brendan is willing to give her half his earnings.
Rhuari is a tag-along who's quiet and watches and understands far more than he ever lets on. Even as a child. He reads voraciously and loses himself in Irish history to the point he starts learning Gaelic, which is discouraged in Derry but available, here and there. He's like Brendan in that he has only a couple close friends and that there's no one else he even wants to be around.
Maeve is a controlling little witch who knows best for everyone, and proves it, over and over. Sharp tongue and quick comments, she's aiming to be one of the Knights of Malta medics, which won't happen until Brendan is long gone to Houston. But until then, she fixes birds and kittens and dogs, to her mother's irritation and about which she does not care.
Last is Kieran, who's the angry one because he's never known his father so thinks the man was a saint, and is filled with Bernadette's hatred of Protestants. He's only six when Brendan leaves, and already something of a hellion.
As for Brendan, he is loyal to his friends and siblings, and automatically assumes they are to him, as well. And they prove it to each other, more than once. His interest in repairing things is almost pathological, though he does like to make money doing it, so he doesn't bother with silly things like playing marbles or running about doing stupid stuff...except with his mates, sometimes.
Wide brushstrokes of each character, but a solid base to adjust them as I do the next rewrite.
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