# Mac an Dáv — Irish Fairy Tales character guide

> Mac an Dáv in Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** mac an Dáv, mac, Dáv

**First appearance:** 0053-the-carl-of-the-drab-coat

## Snapshot

A powerful Ulster gentleman of the old gods who barricades his door against Saint Finnian's new faith and outlasts Time itself.

## Who they are

Mac an Dáv keeps the ancient practices, refusing Finnian admittance and trusting that the abbot's hunger will drive him away. But Finnian fasts on his doorstep until hospitality forces the door open, and the siege works on the household from within. He is the story's image of a world that will not simply vanish when a new god arrives, and his resistance frames the tale of Tuan Mac Cairill.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Mac an Dáv is a loyal companion and ally to Mongan, often aiding him in his adventures.

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

_friendship_

Mac an Dáv is a loyal companion and ally to Mongan, often aiding him in his adventures.

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

_friendship_

Mac an Dáv is a loyal companion and ally to Mongan, often aiding him in his adventures.

## In the story

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

Son of the attendant An Dáv, born on the same night as Mongan.

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

Mongan's servant and foster-brother; his wife (Duv Laca's foster-sister) also left with the King of Leinster; confronts Mongan and helps him with the plan.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiv)

Carries Mongan on his back from Ulster to Leinster; expresses fury at the King of Leinster and is hit with a stone by a stranger.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xv)

Travels with Mongan and is transformed into the clerk's shape.

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

Mongan's servant who accompanies him and embraces the attendant, claiming to be her husband.

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

Assists Mongan by pushing the hag onto the spike and opening the door for Tibraidè.

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

Shares Mongan's grief over his own wife's departure; acts as messenger to Duv Laca.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xix)

Accompanies Mongan and is transformed into the likeness of Ae's attendant.

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

Mongan's companion who snatches the gifts given to the hag and helps with the escape.

## Links

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