The Banshee
Her wail pierces the night—a keening cry that means death is coming. Irish families have their own banshees, passed down through generations. To hear her is to know someone will die.
The banshee (bean sídhe, “woman of the fairy mound”) is an Irish spirit whose wailing cry warns of imminent death in a family.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The banshee is:
- A female spirit
- Attached to certain Irish families
- Her cry (keening) predicts death
- She may appear as old crone or young woman
- Sometimes combs her long hair
- Dressed in white or grey
Description
The banshee appears as:
The Old Hag: A frightening crone in rags.
The Young Woman: Beautiful but sorrowful.
The Matron: A stately middle-aged figure.
All versions have:
- Long flowing hair (often white or red)
- Pale complexion
- Red eyes from weeping
- A terrible, keening wail
The Cry
The banshee’s wail is:
- A mournful keening sound
- Heard at night
- Often near the home of the dying
- Unmistakably supernatural
- Filled with grief
Family Connections
The banshee traditionally follows:
- Old Irish families (Ó and Mac surnames)
- The same family for generations
- Some families have multiple banshees
- The connection is hereditary
Similar Spirits
Scottish: Bean nighe (washer woman at the ford).
Welsh: Cyhyraeth (wailing spirit).
Cornish: Similar death warnings.
Modern Reports
Banshee encounters continue:
- Elderly people describe hearing her
- Near deaths in Irish families abroad
- The tradition is passed down
- Belief remains strong in rural areas
Cultural Significance
The banshee represents:
- The Irish relationship with death
- Family lineage and ancestry
- The thin veil between worlds
- Pre-Christian beliefs surviving
Famous Accounts
O’Brien Family: The earls of Thomond had a well-documented banshee.
O’Grady Family: Their banshee was called Aine.
Various emigrant families: Report banshee cries abroad.
The Keening Woman
The banshee may derive from:
- Traditional keening women at Irish funerals
- Pre-Christian goddesses
- Ancestral spirits
- The merging of folklore and religion