# Duv Laca — Irish Fairy Tales character guide

> Duv Laca in Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duv Laca of the White Hand, young Duv Laca

**First appearance:** 0062-the-enchanted-cave-of-cesh-corran

## Snapshot

Mongan's cradle-bride, whose beauty is bargained away by her own husband and who insists that honour outlasts life.

## Who they are

Duv Laca is married to Mongan after peace is made with Fiachna Duv, and their chess games at the palace seem a picture of ease. When the King of Leinster claims her as the price of a bargain, she refuses to let Mongan break his word, telling him honour is longer than life. Her insistence forces Mongan into loss and later into the vengeance that makes him King of Ulster.

## Relationships

### [Mongan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters/mongan)

_romantic_

Duv Laca is Mongan's wife, and their relationship is marked by love, jealousy, and magical trials.

### [Mongan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters/mongan)

_romantic_

Duv Laca is Mongan's wife, and their relationship is marked by love, jealousy, and magical trials.

### [Mongan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters/mongan)

_romantic_

Duv Laca is Mongan's wife, and their relationship is marked by love, jealousy, and magical trials.

## In the story

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

Mentioned frequently by Mongan in his sleep, daughter of Fiachna Duv mac Demain, object of Brótiarna's jealousy.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/viii)

Daughter of Fiachna Duv, betrothed to Mongan in the cradle and later married to him.

### [Mongan Avenges His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ix)

Mongan's wife, playing chess with him; expected to oppose Mongan's vengeance.

### [The Bargain of the White Cows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as the most beautiful woman in Ireland, the object of Branduv's desire, and the subject of the bargain.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xi)

Duv Laca loves the cows and Mongan, but insists on keeping the bargain with the King of Leinster, valuing honor above her own happiness.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xii)

Duv Laca declares her love for King Branduv and binds him to a year of separation to test his devotion.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiii)

Mongan's beloved wife who went to Leinster with the king of that country; described as the delight of ages and the gem of time.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xvi)

The queen, formerly the King of Ulster's wife, whom Mongan embraces.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xvii)

Reveals to the King of Leinster that Mongan is her husband, exposing the deception.

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

The object of Mongan's desire; sends word for Mongan to come quickly as the charioteer Kevin Cochlach pursues her.

### [The Hag of the Mill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xx)

Duv Laca of the White Hand, taken from Mongan by Branduv, but later rescued by Mongan.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters/duv_laca
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters