The Copper Beech has seven main characters: Madeline Ross, Maura Brennan, Eddie Barton, Dr. Jims, Nora Kelly, Nessa Ryan, Richard Hayes, and Leonora Murphy.

Madeline Ross is one of the teachers at the Shancarrig school. She lives a lonely life with her mother, but she finds a friend in the new priest, Father Barry. The two become close friends, and then Maddy falls in love with Father Barry. When Father Gunn suspects that the two of them are having, or are about to have, an affair, Father Barry is sent to do missionary work in Peru. Maddy is faithful to Father Barry in his absence, but he falls in love with another woman.

Maura Brennan grows up in a poor family with an alcoholic father. Maura's dream is to stay in Shancarrig and have a home of her own. She thinks her dream is being fulfilled when she...