=Fionnua´la,= daughter of Lir. Being transformed into a swan, she was doomed to wander over the lakes and rivers of Ireland till the Irish became Christians, but the sound of the first mass bell in the island was to be the signal of her release. Silent, O Moyle, be the roar of thy water [_County Tyrone_] ... While murmuring mournfully Lir’s lonely daughter Tells to the night-star her tale of woes. When shall the “Swan,” her death-note singing, Sleep with wings in darkness furled? When will heaven, its sweet “bell” ringing, Call my spirit from this stormy world? T. Moore, _Irish Melodies_, iv. (“The Song of Fionnuala”). =Fips= (_Mr_.), a sedate, mysterious personage, living in an office in Austin Friars (London). He is employed by some unknown benefactor (either John Westlock or old Martin Chuzzlewit) to engage Tom Pinch at a weekly salary as librarian to the Temple Library.—C. Dickens, _Martin Chuzzlewit_ (1844). =Fir-bolg= (_i.e._ _bowmen_, from _bolg_, “a quiver”), a colony of Belgæ from Britain, led by Larthon to Ireland and settled in the southern parts of the island. Their chief was called “lord of Atha” (a country of Connaught), and thence Ireland was called Bolga. Somewhat later a colony of Caledonians from the western coast of Scotland settled in the northern parts of Ireland, and made Ulster their headquarters. When Crotha was “lord of Atha” he carried off Conlama (daughter of the Cael chief) by force, and a general war between the two races ensued. The Cael were reduced to the last extremity, and sent to Trathal (grandfather of Fingal) for aid. Trathal accordingly sent over Conar with an army, and on his reaching Ulster he was made “king of the Cael” by acclamation. He utterly subdued the Fir-bolg, and assumed the title of “king of Ireland;” but the Fir-bolg often rose in insurrection, and made many attempts to expel the race of Conar.—Ossian. =Fire-Brand of France= (_The_) John duke of Bedford, regent of France (1389-1435). John, duke of Bedford, styled the “Firebrand of France.” Drayton, _Polyolbion_ xviii. (1613.)