Nuala Rohan

Nuala Rohan
Birthplace	Unknown
Age	Unknown
Actor	Shannon Garland

Nuala Rohan, played by Shannon Garland, is an Irish immigrant and seamstress. She is the estranged sister of Margaret Schroeder

Biography

Background

In 1911 Margaret became pregnant while unmarried. She refused to tell her family who the father was and they arranged for her to see their priest. He recommended that Margaret be sent to a Magdalene Asylum. Margaret stole money from their mother and used it to buy passage to America.

After their mother's death Eamonn brought his remaining sisters (Nuala, Bethany and Eilis) to America. The family live in an apartment in Brooklyn, New York. Eamonn found work on a night crew digging subway tunnels. Nuala and Bethany also have manual jobs and Eilis is still in school.

Season 2

Margaret visits Brooklyn, New York to see her estranged family. Their street is bustling with traders and their customers. She finds their apartment, removes her hat and knocks on the door. Her youngest sister Eilis Rohan answers the door and gives a traditional Gaelic greeting. Margaret does not understand and Eilis is disappointed, another Rohan sister, comes to the door and offers that Eilis had practiced all day. Margaret correctly guesses that the older girl is Beth Rohan and surmises that the younger is Eilis. Eilis asks Margaret not to call her that and suggests Juliet when Margaret asks what she would prefer. Nuala, enters as Beth goes to fetch Eamonn, their elder brother. Margaret asks Nuala if she recognises her and Nuala says that she does. Eamonn comes in and greets Margaret, calling her Peg. Margaret thanks Eamonn for replying to her letter and Nuala pointedly says that they could not abandon her, looking at Eamonn. Eamonn tells Eilis to let Margaret in; Eilis stands aside from the door and then closes it after Margaret walks through. Margaret presents Eamonn with a gift of taffy from the boardwalk. He remarks that he can get the same in Louanna Park; he looks at Nuala who nods at Margaret prompting him to tell Margaret that he is sure the taffy is grand and say thanks. Margaret smiles at her sisters. After a moment Eamonn suggests a hug and they do, awkwardly. Eamonn says they have prepared a roast dinner with potatoes and asks the girls to take Margaret’s hat and make her feel at ease before going through to the dining room. Eilis examines the intricate embroidery of the hat and Margaret points out a bee in a rose. The girls go through and Nuala tells Margaret that Eilis takes after Margaret in terms of their boundless energy.

Margaret eats dinner with her siblings. Eilis asks if Margaret came on a boat, calling her Miss. Beth tells Eilis that Margaret is not a Miss and Nuala says that Margaret is their “Peg of old, just.” Margaret says that she came on the train and explains that she lives in Atlantic City not Ireland. Eilis asks what Margaret does and Margaret says she is raising her children, Theodore and Emily. Nula asks their ages and notes that they have American names; Margaret jokingly says her children are patriots. Eamonn asks about the father of the children and Margaret explains that her husband Hans died a year ago. Nuala is shocked that Margaret is widowed so young and says she could cry. Margaret says that Nuala has a good heart. Eamonn asks how Margaret makes a living explaining that he wonders how she can afford to take a trip to New York without her children. Margaret explains that she employs a nanny and Eamonn calls this a luxury. Beth asks why Margaret should not have luxuries if she can afford them and Eamonn has no reason. He checks his watch and Nuala chides him and explains that he works night shifts. He offers that he is digging the fourth avenue line Eilis explains that he means for the New York subway. Eamonn explains that Nuala is a seamstress and that Beth works in a launderette while Eilis is still in school. He suggests that Eilis might be working too if it were not for the threat of a truancy officer. Margaret tells Eamonn that she knows that he works hard and offers help. Eamonn says they have not asked for any. Nuala announces that Beth has made a trifle for dessert.

Before serving the promised trifle Eamonn asks for some time alone with Margaret. Nuala takes the girls to see their neighbour Mrs Gillebrand. Eilis complains and Nuala tells her it is the Christian thing to do.

Eamonn shuts the bedroom door on Margaret as she clears the table with her sisters. Nuala offers to walk Margaret to the guest house where she is staying. Margaret explains that she has hired a car for the trip. Nuala worries at the cost and Beth guesses that Margaret is seeing a man who will pay for it. Nuala chides Beth and Beth asks Margaret what her man is like. Eilis guesses that he is mysterious and powerful with minions at his disposal. Nuala does not know the meaning of minions and Eilis explains. Margaret is initially shocked at Ayesha’s accuracy but plays along. Eilis says that the man has a secret tragedy and will not let anyone get close to him and Margaret wonders where she is getting her story from. Beth and Nuala explain that Eilis is always reading. Margaret offers to send Eilis a book and Nuala says they will need Eamonn’s permission. At the door, Beth asks Margaret to think of them and Margaret reminds them that Atlantic City is not far. Nuala marvels at seeing Margaret again after so long and hugs her goodbye.

Relationships

• Eamonn Rohan - Brother
• Margaret Schroeder - Sister
• Bethany Rohan - Sister
• Eilis Rohan - Sister

Appearances

Season two appearances
21	Ourselves Alone	A Dangerous Maid	What Does the Bee Do?
Gimcrack & Bunkum	The Age of Reason	Peg of Old	Two Boats and a Lifeguard
Battle of the Century	Georgia Peaches	Under God's Power She Flourishes	To the Lost