Pádraig Mac Cárthaigh

Role in the Story:

Pádraig Mac Cárthaigh is the man who seduces Máire and then abandons her once she becomes pregnant. His betrayal is one of the key factors that leads to Máire's tragic downfall.

Relationships with Other Characters:

• Máire Ní Chathasaigh: Pádraig seduces Máire, manipulating her into believing they are in love and even giving her a ring to make her think they are spiritually married. However, he abandons her once she becomes pregnant, refusing to take responsibility for his actions.
• His First Wife: Pádraig is married when he meets Máire, but he claims that his wife is ill and can never be a "true wife" to him, using this as an excuse to pursue a relationship with Máire.
• Second Wife: After his first wife dies, Pádraig remarries quickly to another woman. He shows no loyalty to Máire or their child, even after his first wife's death.

Key Actions in the Play:

1. Seduction of Máire: Pádraig charms Máire at a local dance, making her believe that they are in love. He presents himself as a victim of his circumstances, claiming that his wife cannot fulfil her duties, and uses this to justify his relationship with Máire.

2. Abandonment of Máire: When Máire becomes pregnant, Pádraig abandons her, leaving her to face the harsh judgment of society alone. He shows no interest in supporting her or their child.

• Rejection of His Daughter: Later, when Máire reveals that their daughter Pádraigín is his child, Pádraig refuses to acknowledge her. Instead of taking responsibility, he insults Máire and calls her a "harlot," showing his complete lack of care for both her and the child.

Symbolism/Importance:

Pádraig represents the selfishness of men in positions of power who exploit and abandon vulnerable women. His character shows how society allowed men like him to escape responsibility, while women like Máire bore the full weight of shame and judgment.

Aidiachtaí

Suarach	Despicable
Glic	Sly
Mealltach	Charming
Féinlárnach	Self-centred
Mídhílis	Disloyal
Meata	Cowardly

1. An gaol

(Pádraig and Máire at the dance)

• Bhuail Pádraig le Máire ag damhsa i dteach na scoile.
  • Pádraig met Máire dancing in the school house.
• Is léir go bhfuil sé mealltach. Mhol sé Máire as an amhrán a chan sí.
  • It is clear that he is charming. He praised Máire for the song she sang.
• Thuig sé go raibh sí óg agus rinne sé dúshaothrú ar a soineantach.
  • He realised that she was young and he exploited her innocence.
• Tá bua na cainte ag Pádraig, agus mheall sé Máire lena chuid cainte. Bhí sé lan le filíocht.
  • Pádraig has a gift for talking, and he seduced Máire with his speech. He was full of poetry.
• Is duine mídhílis, leithleach agus féinlárnach gan dabht é Pádraig.
  • Pádraig is undoubtedly a disloyal, selfish and self-centred person.
• Dibríodh é ón sagatóireacht toisc nach raibh sé sásta cloí leis na rialacha. Bhí sé ag caitheamh tabac.
  • He was expelled from priesthood because he was not willing to obey the rules. He was smoking.

2. An gaol rúnda agus an pósadh bréagach

(The secret relationship and the fake marriage)

• Tá Pádraig an-ghlic. Chuir sé iachall ar Mháire gan faic a rá le héinne faoina gcaidreamh mar is máistir scoile é agus má fhaigheann daoine amach, bheadh sé náirithe os comhair an pharóiste.
  • Pádraig is very clever. He forced Máire not to tell anyone about their relationship because he is a schoolmaster and if people find out, he would be humiliated in front of the parish.
• Ní raibh cead ag Mháire a ainm a lua le héinne ná fiú scríobh chuige.
  • Máire was not allowed to mention his name to anyone or even write to him.
• Thuig sé go raibh coinsias Máire ag cur isteach uirthi.
  • He understood that Máire's conscience was bothering her.
• Dúirt Máire go raibh éagóir á dhéanamh acu ar a bhean chéile, ach chas sé an suíomh timpeall.
  • Máire said that they were doing an injustice to his wife, but he turned the situation around.
• Dar leis, bhí Máire ag sábháil a phósta- dúirt sé nach mbeadh sé ábalta fanacht lena bhean chéile murach Máire.
  • According to him, Máire was saving his marriage-he said that he wouldn't be able to stay with his wife if it weren't for Máire.
• Rinne sé pósadh bréagach le Máire.
  • He created a fake marriage with Máire.

3.Thréig sé Máire

(He abandoned Máire)

• Nuair a fuair sé amach go raibh Máire ag iompar clainne, thréig sé í.
  • When he found out that Máire was pregnant, he abandoned her.
• Ní raibh a bhean chéile ach cúpla mí marbh nuair a phós sé an máistreas scoile.
  • His wife was only a few months dead when he married the school mistress.
• Feicimid cé chomh mídhílis is a bhí sé nuair a thug sé cuairt ar 'teach an mhíchliú' cúpla mí tar éis an dara pósadh.
  • We see just how disloyal he is when he visits the 'teach an mhíchliú' a few months after the second wedding.
• Bhuail sé le Máire i dteach Mailí, ach ní raibh sé ann chun í a fháil.
  • He met Máire in Mailí's house, but he was not there to get her.
• Ba chuma leis faoina iníon.
  • He did not care about his daughter.
• Mhaslaigh sé Máire nuair a ghlaoigh sé 'striapach' uirthi. Bhris sé a croí.
  • He insulted Máire when he called her a 'harlot'. He broke her heart.