DeitiesFG

Fand--(fon or fahn): Fand the "Tear of the Fire of the Eye" is Manannan's wife. She seduces Cuchulainn into the fairy world. Fand also represents the goddess in whose possession are keys to the eternal realm of the soul. It is in her domain that the orchard of sustaining fruits lies. The orchard is full of singing birds--symbols of the higher Self. She herself first appears as a beautiful bird--probably a swan--diving into the waters that represent the subconsciousness. In her court is the continuously full cauldron of plenty. At its door stands the Tree of Life, brilliant as gold, from which issues forth sweet and soft harmonies. Her island realm is reached by crossing the waters where dwell the "masters of music". This realm is a glamorous illusion and more. It finds its equivalent in all the world mythologies. What it means is different for each person, but the imagery nourishes the deepest part of our soul--the longing for union with another, with the divine source, for the experience of the eternal Self.

Fedlimid--(fay-lim-i): Harpist and father of Deirdre. The name of his wife is not given.

Ferdiad--(fer-di-uh): The friend and foster-brother of Cuchulainn who is finally persuaded by Maeve into fighting him in the greatest single combat of the 'Tain'.

Fergus Mac Roth: King of Ulster, he is tricked out of his kingship by Conchobor. He becomes Conchobor's champion but the relationship is fragile. When betrayed by Conchobor over the Sons of Uisliu, Fergus goes to Connacht to serve Queen Maeve. His cause, often overlooked by those who see Maeve to blame for the 'Tain Bo Cuailnge', almost wins the day against Ulster.

Fidchell--(fad-hel): A Celtic game equivalent to chess. It involves preventing the king of your opponent from reaching the center of the board. This would seem to confirm that the struggle in the great 'fidchell' games of Celtic mythology is one of sovereignty.

Fionn Mac Cumhail--(f'un mac cool): The most famous leader of the warrior band called the Fianna. Collectively, the stories of Fionn and his son Oisin form the Fenian Cycle of early Irish literature. These stories tend to be more magical than The Ulster Cycle, which focuses on the 'Tain', and were perhaps composed at an earlier date. Fionn is also known by the Anglicized spelling "Finn Mac Cool".

Fionnabair--(f'un-a-vir): Daughter of Maeve and Aillill. The second most famous cattle raid of Ireland, the 'Tain Bo Froach', is undertaken on her behalf. The Welsh equivalent is Gwenhwyvar, known as Guinevere.

Fir Bolg: The "Men of the Bag". The Fir Bolg are among the first inhabitants of Ireland. They are chthonic, and use primitive flint tools although they are on good terms with agriculture.

Fir flathemon--(feer flah-mun): The word, justice, or truth of the ruler: "The Truth of Sovereignty".

Fodhla--(fo-lah): "of the Hazel". One of the three tutelary and sovereign goddesses of the land of Ireland.

G

Grania or Graine: Daughter of the High King, Cormac Mac Airt. She elopes with Diarmuid after being promised to Fionn Mac Cumhail. Fionn pursues the couple for many years, and, as a result, many of the dolmens in Ireland are known as "beds of Diarmuid and Grania". After Diarmuid's death, Grania returns to Fionn. Her name relates to Grian, the sun.

Gundestrup Cauldron: This exquite silver-plated cauldron, found in a bog in Denmark, is of Thracian manufacture, and propably belongs to the third centuryBCE Celtic tribes were settling throughout the Balkans at this time, and the cauldron was likely to have been a gift of allegiance and hospitality for a chief.