Irish Folklore: The Banshee

The banshee is a creature which has deep roots in Irish folklore, and has occasionally appeared within horror media; such as the TV series 'Supernatural', and film 'Cry of the Banshee'. In such mediums, they can be depicted as malevolent spirits intent on harming the living, but in reality this is quite far from the truth. The folklore of the banshee portrays them as harbingers of death only through warning and never infliction. This doesn't mean that 'bad' banshees can't exist, however, due to their cries not only being through mourning those soon to pass, but also as being celebrations for the soon passing of those they have loathed.

History

The banshee originated within Irish folklore and stems from legends regarding the fairy folk, as as a result is sometimes referred to as a 'woman of the fairies'. The name 'banshee' is derived from old Irish and can be translated as 'woman of the fairy mound', or 'crying woman'. The name has two different translations because there are two different origins for the name. The first involves 'tumuli', which are mounds of earth that are dotted around the Irish countryside. The old Irish word for tumuli is 'sídhe' (pronounced 'she'). These mounds date back to the neolithic age and are associated with the fairy folk. They traditionally covered a grave, or multiple graves, and were said to be the home to spirits of the dead.

The 'Tuatha Dé Danann', which had been supplanted by a wave of immigrants to Ireland known as the Milesians, are considered as mythical beings. Legend says that these beings retreated underground and the sídhe were one of the remaining gateways to their hidden kingdom. As a result, the Tuatha Dé Danann became known as the 'aes sídhe'; meaning 'the people of the mounds'. The female counterparts were known as the 'bean sídhe'; meaning 'the women of the mounds', or 'woman of the fairy mound'. This term isn't specific to the banshee and can be used to describe any female fairy folk.

As for the Irish which led to the 'crying woman' translation; that has a less magical origin. At funerals, it was common for women to attend and to sing songs for the dead. These songs were called 'caoineadh', which means 'crying' in Irish. The women were called 'keeners', and the scream of a banshee is called 'caoine' which translates to 'keening'. The keeners would often be paid in alcohol, and this would lead to the keeners being elderly alcoholics who were often banished from towns and villages. Due to accepting alcohol as payment, the women were considered sinners, and it was thought they were doomed to become banshees as punishment for their sins. 'Bean chaointe' translates to 'crying woman', or 'woman who cries at funeral dirges'. I've also found that 'banna' translates to 'a woman who calls out'. From these old Irish words, it can clearly be seen how over time they developed into 'banshee'; a word which first appeared in text during 1771.

In terms of what a banshee actually is; a banshee is believed to be a female spirit that warns of when death is near. Common depictions portray the banshee as a female spirit with long hair that screams through the night. The banshee can appear in a number of forms. If the banshee had strong ties to their family while they were alive, then they will continue to watch over them in the form of a beautiful and enchanting woman. They will sing a sorrowful and haunting song, which is filled with love and concern for their family, a few days before the death of a family member. In most cases, the song can only be heard by the person it is intended for. This can be the person who is going to die, or it can be to warn friends or family that the death will effect.

If, during life, the banshee had a reason to hate their family; they will appear as a distorted and frightening apparition filled with hate. Their songs will be different too, they will be screeches and howls which celebrate the impending death within the family they hated. I have found that banshees can be evil, and can inflict pain, but this seems to be a modern deviation from the actual folklore caused by horror media. This source says that some banshees take pleasure from taking life and actively seek out victims, wailing at them until they kill themselves or go insane. These banshees can also tear people to shreds; but I do believe, as all but one source says, that banshees do not inflict harm and only warn of death.

Another legend suggests that the banshee is the spirit of a young girl that suffered a brutal death. This legend says her spirit remains to warn family members that death is near. It is also said the banshee can be a young maiden who lures people towards her with sweet singing in a way similar to mermaids and sirens. Another I've found is that the banshee appears as an old woman with rotten teeth and long fingernails. This banshee also wears rags and has blood red eyes so filled with hate that looking into them causes immediate death. Her mouth is always open, and her scream torments the souls of the living. Again, I find these more violent deviations are likely due to modern horror media. The red eyes is a common feature though, as it is thought their eyes are red from the constant crying.

Other appearances of the banshee are as follows:

. A beautiful woman wearing a shroud

. A pale woman with long red hair that wears a white dress

. A woman with silver hair that wears a long silver dress

. A headless woman, that is naked from the waist up, carrying a bowl of blood

. An old woman with frightening red eyes, and long white hair, wearing a green dress

. An old woman with long grey hair, wearing black, and has a veil covering her face

. A young maiden

. A full-figured matron

. An old wretched crone

. A woman in a grey cloak with permanently red eyes

. Shrouded figure flying by in the moonlight

. A crow

. A weasel

. A black dog

. A hare

. A stout

When appearing as a beautiful woman, the banshee can appear crouched by the road or wandering the countryside. They can also appear as unnaturally tall, or incredibly small such as only a foot tall. The more exotic appearances they take more accurately reflect their fairy nature. As for the animal appearances, these are all animals associated with witchcraft in Ireland. This makes the banshee not only associated with fairy folklore, but also with witches and witchcraft; which could contribute to appearances resembling an old crone. It's also believed the banshee can shape-shift to resemble ordinary people and dead family members.

I've found that the banshee dates back to the 8th century, but I've also found first accounts to appear during 1380 within some Norman literature. The first written account was in Sean MacCraith's 'Cathrein Thoirdhealbhaigh', or 'Triumphs of Turlough'. The only example of a 'human banshee' comes from an encounter King James I of Scotland experienced during 1437. While travelling, he encountered a woman who claimed to be a 'seer', and she predicted that he would soon die. He was later murdered at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl.

One theory around how the banshee knows of impending death is that each family member has their own personal observer who follows them and then reports back to the banshee. It is thought though that the banshee is not a spirit anyone can encounter. It's thought that the banshee only warns families of pure Irish descent, and that it haunts the five oldest Irish families. As Irish families have mixed over time, it is however said that each family has its own banshee. This would mean they are either exclusive to pure Irish families, or exclusive to the five oldest Irish families. These families are the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Gradys, the O'Connors, and the Kavanaghs. Other old families who could potentially have a banshee in the family have surnames beginning with the O' or Mc/Mac prefix such as O'Sullivan or McGrath.

The O'Donnell banshee lives on a rock overlooking the sea at Dunlace Castle. This banshee also cries for all O'Donnell family misfortunes, not just deaths in the family. The O'Neill banshee is called Maveen (possible spelling variation of Maeveen) and has its own designated room within the family castle. It's been said that family members sometimes see an impression left on the bed in this room. The O'Neill banshee is said to have cried from the Coile Ultagh, also known as Ulster Wood, and could be heard from the other side of Lough Neagh which is where the O'Neill castle is located. The O'Briain (possibly a spelling variation of O'Brien) family was visited by a banshee called 'Eeval'. It is said that this banshee ruled over twenty-five other banshees that followed wherever she went. This led to the belief that if multiple banshees were heard at once, then someone very powerful or holy was about to die.

It's also said that the banshee is likely to cry at the crowning of a true king, and that this happened upon Brian Boru being crowned, an event which marked the beginning of the O'Brien dynasty following the O'Neills being overthrown. The banshee is also said to have foretold the death of Brian Boru. The day after the banshee was heard, the king was killed while praying in his tent. In some parts of Ireland, the banshee can be placated by offering food or drink. The banshee can also apparently be warded off by wearing gold, such as a gold claddagh ring, or by having a golden item in the house.

As the banshee legend differs a little from family to family, it also differs around Ireland regarding its singing. In Leinster, it's believed that the cry of a banshee is shrill enough to shatter glass. In Kerry, the singing is low and pleasant. In Tyrone, the banshee sounds like two boards being struck together. On Rathlin Island, the banshee has a thin screech which is like an owl. Despite these differences in sound, the banshee is always said to be heard from a great distance. They also have been said to cry for healthy people, however these people then are found dead from a freak accident within a week. The majority of banshee visits occur during the night, with some occuring during noon. They have also been said to knock on doors and windows, plus sometimes chuckle. Due to the crying occuring during the night, it's led to speculation for the banshee's cry being nothing more than a barn owl or fox.

Other cultures do have stories and creatures similar to banshees. Similar creatures appear in Norse and American folklore, along as within Scottish and Welsh folklore. The Welsh counterpart is known as the 'Gwrach y Rhibyn', or 'Witch of Rhibyn'. Another Welsh version is known as the 'Cyhyraeth'. The Scottish novelist, Sir Walter Scott, mentions that certain Highland families believe in a spirit similar to the banshee in 'Letters in Demonology and Witchcraft' which was published in 1830. The Scottish variant is called the 'bean-nighe', or 'washerwoman'. This version of the banshee, also known as the 'little washerwoman', is seen washing the bloodstains out of clothes belonging to people who are soon to die. They have one nostril, one tooth, and a ducks webbed feet. They also appear near rivers. If you successfully sneak up on the bean-nighe unseen, it is said she will either grant you one or more wishes, or answer any question truthfully. It is also possible to change fate by having her stop washing the clothes.

Other names, likely being associated with variants of the banshee across cultures, are the 'hag of the mist', and the 'hag of the Black Head'. The Welsh variant, Gwrach y Rhibyn, is also known as the hag of the mists. This version approaches the window of the soon to die and calls their name. They're also invisible, and the hag is a harpy-like creature with wings which can sometimes be seen in mists at crossroads or streams. One story involving a banshee approaching a window occured during 1801. During this year, Sir Jonah Barrington (chief of the British forces in Ireland) was woken during the night at 2.30am by a banshee at his window which either cried the name 'Rossmore' three times, or scratched the name onto the windowsill. Robert Cunningham, the first Baron of Rossmore, had been a guest for the evening and was a close friend of the chief. When Jonah woke, he was informed that his friend had died in the night at roughly the same time the banshee had visited Jonah. A variation of the story is that it was actually a servant called 'Rossmore' that died.

Families with no Milesian heritage, yet are said to have their own banshee, are the Geraldines (an ancient Anglo-Norman family in Ireland), the Bunsworths (Anglo-Saxons of County Cork), and the Rossmores (a line of Barons in County Monaghan of Scotch and Dutch descent). As the Rossmores are a family of Barons, it seems likely that the death in the story above was likely that of the Baron and not a servant. It has been said that Irish families who have moved to other countries still hear the cry of the banshee, implying that the banshee can either follow family members, or their cries can be heard across oceans. Another location where a banshee has been heard is near the ruins of Lislaughtin Abbey. A member of the O'Connor family was cycling between Ballylongford and Tarbot in County Kerry when they heard the banshee near these ruins.

Another Irish spirit which is similar to the banshee is called the Lianhan Sídhe, which is pronounced as 'Ian-hawn She'. This spirit is also quite similar to a siren in the sense that they appear as a beautiful woman that attracts men and brings their downfall. Another detail in the banshee folklore is that they are sometimes seen to be brushing their hair with a comb. This detail has led to the superstition that you shouldn't pick up a comb found on the ground, and if you do then you risk being taken away by the fairies. Although the legend began in a way which said the banshee only appeared to people who were about to suffer a violent and painful death, it has since changed to be more generalised. They also usually appear outside a door or in a nearby wooded area.

Another aspect of the legend is 'banshee chairs'. These chairs are wedge-shaped rocks which can be found across Ireland. It is said that these rocks are where a banshee will sit and cry for general misfortunes if there isn't a death to cry for. During 1893, the Irish Times published an article that depicted the story of the banshee along with local assertions and disputes about the legend. Sadly, the belief in banshees is slowly dying out and has been since the late 1930s. Once it would have been considered blasphemous to not believe in banshees, and the belief was widespread across Ireland. Funeral chants, the keening the banshee was inspired by, was outlawed by the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The belief in banshees was so strong at one time that there are tales of battles being abandoned by soldiers after hearing a banshee cry from a nearby wooded area shortly before a battle was set to take place. The soldiers would flee thinking it was a sign they were about to die in battle. As a result, the fleeing soldiers would either be killed by the enemy, or they would be killed by their leaders for desertion. Either way, the cry of the banshee would ring true as all who heard it would have died; and this caused the legend to grow. It's also said that if the banshee is spotted, then they will vanish into a cloud of mist. When this happens, it is said to create a sound similar to a bird flapping its wings.

My Thoughts

Do I think the banshee is real? In a way, yes. I believe they're stories inspired by the tradition of keening mixed with fairy folklore, and I think the sound people have associated with the banshee is likely from wildlife at night such as foxes and owls. However, I do think certain hauntings can display the behaviours associated with a banshee. A family member watching over after death, trying to protect the family, and warning of imminent death is nothing uncommon amongst beliefs in the afterlife; yet it is the bulk of the banshee folklore. From this perspective, yes I believe the banshee could exist; but that other cultures would likely refer to them by other names or just simply as family members who have died. Due to experiences myself and members in my family have had, I absolutely believe that family members can watch over you after they have died.

Do I think that aspects such as the crying are real? Potentially. I think that most cases will be foxes and owls, but I can't deny that people have reported hearing a woman crying. This is quite a common occurance in haunted locations, and there are a number of theories to explain it ranging from wildlife to residual hauntings where an event is replaying itself. Personally, I don't like the idea of residual hauntings as it raises more questions than it answers. I view spirits being the same as the living, but without a body. I suspect they will have the same level of consciousness, but without any physical influence on thought that is caused by the brain and biological chemicals. I do believe that emotion can be an energy aside from the biological aspects, and so I do believe it's possible for spirits to experience sadness. From this perspective, being potentially alone in a place you once new but can no longer interact with as it decays is not the cheeriest of things to experience; and so the crying makes sense.

I don't think that these spirits can predict when someone will die, but I do think they will likely have enough experience to recognise when a significant event either has occured or is about to occur. After all, it is a well known sentiment that history repeats itself and that humans are creatures of habit. I suspect this would make it quite easy to create the illusion of prediction when it's really just learning from the past. So, if you hear something crying in the night; instead of fearing it, try talking to it. It could just be a spirit that's feeling lonely.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading to the end of this article! The banshee is something I've been aware of for a while, and I don't know if that's because I live in England or if it's because the banshee is well known worldwide. They're a creature I've been wanting to look into more, and I found it incredibly interesting to find people seeming know exactly where the legend originated from. Even finding out where the name came from was interesting. It was also great to see most sources I've used have emphasised banshees as being peaceful spirits that don't harm humans. I feel them being omens of death could easily have caused their folklore being warped into something far more sinister, as one or two sources did describe. I do feel spirits often needlessly get a bad reputation, and part of my research here is to try and find out where that reputation comes from.

A special thank you goes to Damain, Nicolette, Kerry, GD, The Cornish Ghost Whisperers, Beardo Gets Scared, Starlight Phoenix Paranormal, Paranormal Penny Pinchers, the Australian Paranormal Society, Codegas Codex of Curiousity, Phantom Detectives LLC, and Shadow Walkers Paranormal Investigators for your continued support of The True Paranormal. If you want to follow The True Paranormal you can do so on Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Tumblr. You can also subscribe to The True Paranormal on YouTube, or directly to this website through the bar on the left which will give you email notifications. That bar also lists all of the links which will take you to The True Paranormal's various social media platforms. If you want to contact me about your own experiences, or about anything at all paranormal, you can email thetrueparanormal1@gmail.com

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