Thomas deFremond, a technology product development specialist, single, lives in Manhattan, no family living but comes from wealthy background, laid-back and caring of others, mystified about women and aggressive in technology ventures.

Maggie O'Connor, a school teacher turned documentary journalist, single, uptight with men due to unhappy experiences, modest beginnings in a big family, neatnik, adventurous, romantic.

Eamon Loftus, a political science major who questions the ideals of both sides of the Irish freedom movement, quits his job tracking potential terrorists for the government for a less dangerous, more gratifying career as a videojournalist; charming, gregarious, falls for Maggie before she opens her mouth to say "hello" when they're paired to do a documentary on Ireland.

Ian Pennton, seventy-something professor at Trinity College in Dublin, scientist and inventor, lives outside the tiny village of Belturbet.