Darby O’Gill and the Good People · Chapter
The King and the Omadhaun explained
On a lonesome December night, Darby O'Gill, his sister-in-law Maureen McGibney, and King Brian Connors sit by the hearth discussing troubles.
What happens
On a lonesome December night, Darby O'Gill, his sister-in-law Maureen McGibney, and King Brian Connors sit by the hearth discussing troubles. The King confesses that despite the fairies' power, they cannot capture a goat because goats are pagans. He laments a captured young man (an omadhaun) who pines for a colleen, and reveals that the fairies have taken Roger O'Brien, leaving a changeling. Maureen begs the King to free the lad, but he can only lift the spell for one hour before cockcrow, and arranges for Norah Costello to meet her lover at Kilmartin churchyard.
Themes in this chapter
Fairy Folk and Mortal Wisdom
The King discusses fairy limitations and the inability to enchant goats, contrasting fairy magic with mortal understanding.
Fear and Courage
Darby refuses to help the King out of fear of being captured again, while Maureen shows courage in pleading for the omadhaun.
Marriage and Domestic Conflict
Darby complains about his wife Bridget's lack of respect, highlighting marital tensions.
Characters to notice
- Darby O'Gill
Sits with the King and Maureen, complains about his wife Bridget, and refuses to help capture the goat out of fear.
- King Brian Connors
Visits Darby's kitchen, laments the fairies' inability to capture a goat, and reveals the plight of the omadhaun (Roger O'Brien).
- Maureen McGibney
Soothes the King with flattery and pleads for the release of the captured young man.
- Roger O'Brien
The omadhaun taken by the fairies; he mopes for a colleen (Norah Costello).
- Norah Costello
The girl Roger pines for; the King arranges for her to meet him at the graveyard.
- Sheelah Maguire
Sent by the King as a spy to deliver the message to Norah Costello.
Key passages
“Arrah! You ought to be the happy man, King, with no silly woman to ordher you or to cross you or to belittle you.”
Darby envies the King for not having a wife to boss him around.
Darby expresses frustration with his wife Bridget.
“In Sleive-na-mon our hearts are just breaking for something we can't get; but that's one thing we'd give the worruld for.”
The King reveals that the fairies desperately want a goat but cannot obtain one.
The King confesses the fairies' longing for a goat.
“I can lift the spell from the omadhaun for one hour, and that hour must be just before cockcrow.”
The King can temporarily free the captive for one hour before dawn.
The King explains the limitation of his power to free Roger.