Myths and Legends of the Celts (Penguin Reference) (50 page)

Fergus Lethderg
(
fahr
-ees,
fer
-γus,
fer
-gus
leth
-der-ěg)
A Nemedian hero.

Fergus mac Léti
(
fahr
-ees,
fer
-yus,
fer
-gus mahk
lay
-dĭ)
Mythical king of Ulster, probably a double for Fergus mac Róich.

Fergus mac Róich
(
fahr
-ees,
fer
-yus,
fer
-gus; mahk
roh
-ikh, mahk roy)
Ulster hero, often a lover of Medb; sent as an emissary to the fugitives Deirdre and Noise.

Fiachra
(
fee
-akh-ră)
One of the swan children of Lir.

fianna
(pl.),
fian
(sing.) (
fee
-ă-nă,
fee
-ăn)
Bands of militia-like armed men, also trained in poetry, in early Ireland.

Fianna Éireann
(
fee
-ăn-ă
ayr
-an)
Fionn’s fianna.

fidchell
(
fi
th
-khel)
Chess-like boardgame of early Ireland.

filid
(pl.) (
fil
-ee)
Class of poets in early Ireland, below the status of the druid but above that of the bard. Comparable to the ancient
vates
.

Fin M’Coul
Hiberno-English form for Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Find
(find, fyund)
Early Irish personification of wisdom, likely anticipation of Fionn mac Cumhaill
.

Findchóem
(
fin
-
khoo
-ěm)
Mother of Conall Cernach, foster-mother of Cúchulainn
.

Findias
(
fin
-dee-ăs)
One of the four magical cities of the Tuatha Dé Danann
.

Finnabair
(
fin
-av-ir,
fin
-av-ăr,
fyun
-oor)
Daughter of Medb and Ailill.

Finnachad
(
fin
-akh-ă
th
,
fin
-eh-ee)
Famous
sídh
of Co. Armagh, residence of Lir, father of the exiled children.

Finnbennach
(
fin
-ven-ăkh)
Irish name for the White-horned Bull of Connacht in the
Táin Bó Cuailnge
.

Finnbheara
(finn-
vahr
-ă)
King of the fairies in Irish folklore.

Finnéces
(fin-
ay
-ges)
Druid who hopes to catch the Salmon of Knowledge.

Finnguala
(fun-
oo
-ăl-ă, fin-
ool
-ă)
Eldest of the swan children of Lir and sometimes their spokesperson.

Fintan mac Bóchra
(
fin
-tăn mahk
bohkh
-ră)
‘Husband’ of Cesair who flees his conjugal duties in the form of a salmon.

Fintan, son of Niall Noígiallach
Fosterson of Conchobar who shares a third of Ulster with him and Cúchulainn, achronologically.

Fionn mac Cumhaill
(fin, fyun, foon, fawn; mahk
koo
-il, mahk
kuv
-ăl;
ang
. fin mahk kool)
Leading hero of the Fenian Cycle, father of Oisín, grandfather of Oscar; Hiberno-English: Fin M’Coul.

fios
(fis)
Name for Fionn’s esoteric wisdom.

Fir Bolg
(feer
bohl
-ĭg, feer
bul
-ĭg)
The fourth invaders of early Ireland in
Lebor Gabála Érenn
.

Fir Fálgae
(fee
fawl
-γě)
Warriors who contend with Cúchulainn and Cú Roí while they are in Scotland; speciously associated with the Isle of Man.

Fódla
(
foh
-lă)
One of the three eponymous goddesses of Ireland, along with Banba and Ériu, met by the invading Milesians; later an alternative poetic name for Ireland.

Follamain
(
fol
-ă-măn)
Leader of the martial boys’ corps at Emain Macha.

Fomorians
(fo-
mohr
-ee-ăns; cf.
Ir
. Fomoire = fuv-
oh
-rě)
Malevolent euhemerized deities of the Irish pseudo-history,
Lebor Gabála Érenn
.

Forgall Manach
(
fohr
-gal
mahn
-ăkh)
Wily father of Emer; Cúchulainn’s fatherin-law.