# Meehawl MacMurrachu — The Crock of Gold character guide

> Meehawl MacMurrachu in The Crock of Gold by James Stephens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Meehawl, Meehawl MacMurrachu of the Hill

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

A hill farmer whose troubles with the Leprecauns send him to the philosophers, and whose missing daughter sends them further still.

## Who they are

Meehawl MacMurrachu of the Hill is a plain man caught between the petty malice of the Leprecauns and the grand abstractions of the philosophers he consults. His grievances are practical, his daughter has vanished into a cave with a god, and he has no vocabulary for any of it. He matters because his ordinary distress is the human stake the story keeps returning to, the reason all this theology has consequences.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Coming of Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/book-i-the-coming-of-pan)

Meehawl is mentioned in relation to Caitilin and the local setting.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/i)

Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but referenced as the father of Caitilin in later context; not present here.

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

Mentioned as a visitor who might come for advice, but not directly appearing in this chapter.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/iii)

Visits the Philosopher to ask about his wife's missing washboard; follows the Philosopher's advice and finds a crock of gold.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/iv)

Meehawl is afflicted with rheumatism by the Leprecauns after burying the gold under a thorn bush.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/vii)

Visits the Philosopher in distress over his missing daughter Caitilin, recounting his wife's theories and seeking advice.

### [The Philosopher's Quest and Confrontation with Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/x)

Meehawl's troubles with the Leprecauns are mentioned as the reason for the Philosopher's interest and his decision to seek Angus Óg's help.

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

One of the men traveling with the cart; he kicks the ass and participates in the conversation about marriage and nature.

### [Book V: The Policemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/chapters/book-v-the-policemen)

Involved in the events surrounding the stolen gold.

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

Mentioned indirectly as the man who reported the Philosopher; the sergeant refers to the 'man and woman that used to be living with you'.

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

His cottage is near where the children rest under a thorn bush.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters/meehavl_macmurrachu
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crock_of_gold_se/characters