Darby O’Gill and the Good People · Chapter
The Luck of the Mulligans explained
The King of the Fairies, after being dropped by Ann Mulligan, rides a pig named Dark-eyed Susan to the Mulligan cabin, where he is mistaken for the devil.
What happens
The King of the Fairies, after being dropped by Ann Mulligan, rides a pig named Dark-eyed Susan to the Mulligan cabin, where he is mistaken for the devil. He reveals himself as the King and grants Tom Mulligan a magical noggin that provides endless food, drink, and silver shillings. The family celebrates with music and dancing until Father Scanlan arrives, revealing that Barney Casey had their baby Patsy rebaptized as Bonyface. The King vanishes, and the Mulligans' home becomes a gathering place for musicians, poets, and storytellers.
Themes in this chapter
Fairy Folk and Mortal Wisdom
The King's magical gift and his interactions with the Mulligans illustrate the blend of fairy mischief and mortal reward.
Community and Gossip
The gathering of musicians, poets, and beggars at the Mulligan cabin shows the communal sharing of stories and songs.
Marriage and Domestic Conflict
Ann Mulligan's fear and the family's reaction to the King's arrival highlight domestic tensions and the impact of supernatural events on family life.
Characters to notice
- King Brian Connors
Rides Dark-eyed Susan to the Mulligan cabin, grants Tom a magical noggin, and vanishes after the celebration.
- Ann Mulligan
Drops the King in the road, recounts the story to her family, and later hides the King under children when Father Scanlan arrives.
- Tom Mulligan
One-legged ballad-maker who receives the magical noggin from the King and becomes the jovial host of a gathering of artists.
- Barney Casey
Mentioned as having Patsy Mulligan rebaptized as Bonyface, causing Tom's anger.
- Father Scanlan
Arrives at the Mulligan cabin, scolds Tom, and reveals the rebaptism of Patsy as Bonyface.
- Little Mickey Mulligan
Identifies Father Scanlan at the door and is part of the family hiding the King.
Key passages
“Be the bones of Pether White, what me and me subjects'll do tonight to this parish'll make the big wind seem like a cock's breath!”
The King swears revenge on the parish, threatening to cause a disturbance greater than a great storm.
The King's anger after being dropped by Ann Mulligan.
“Noggin, noggin, where's your manners?”
The King commands the magical noggin to produce food and drink.
The incantation used to activate the noggin's magic.
“You're an idle, shiftless, thriftless man, and a cryin' shame and a disgrace to my flock; if you had two legs I'd bate you within an inch of your life!”
Father Scanlan scolds Tom Mulligan for his laziness and threatens to beat him if he were able-bodied.
The priest's criticism of Tom's character.