# Father Reilly — The Playboy of the Western World character guide

> Father Reilly in The Playboy of the Western World by J. M. Synge.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i

## Who they are

The local priest, often invoked but never appears on stage.

## Relationships

### [Pegeen Mike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_playboy_of_the_western_world_se/characters/pegeen_mike)

_social_

Father Reilly is the local priest who disapproves of Pegeen's association with Christy and represents moral authority in the village.

### [Shawn Keogh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_playboy_of_the_western_world_se/characters/shawn_keogh)

_psychological_

Father Reilly exerts moral control over the fearful Shawn, who seeks the priest's approval and uses him as an excuse for his cowardice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_playboy_of_the_western_world_se/characters/father_reilly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_playboy_of_the_western_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_playboy_of_the_western_world_se/characters