# Kathleen ni Houlihan — The National Being character guide

> Kathleen ni Houlihan in The National Being by George William Russell.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0005-iv

## Who they are

A personification of Ireland, used as a poetic and national symbol in the text.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/i)

Referenced implicitly as the soul of Ireland, for which a physical body (the State) is being prepared.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/ii)

Implied as a symbol of Ireland's spiritual dignity and the potential for national rebirth through a return to heroic ideals.

### [Chapter V: The Rural Community and the Cooperative Ideal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/v)

Symbolically referenced as the embodiment of Ireland, whose rural children emigrate, and whose needs for a fuller life are neglected.

### [Chapter XVI: Military Spirit and the National Being](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xvi)

Implied as the embodiment of Ireland's national being, whose soul must be preserved and guided by ideals rather than force.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xviii)

Referenced indirectly through the vision of light seen by Bridget and the destiny of Ireland.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/characters/kathleen_ni_houlihan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/characters