Banshee

"The Banshee, I understand, is the spirit of some poor woman who died in great misery or was murdered."

— W.B. Yeats, from "Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry" (1888)

The Banshee is a female spirit in Irish mythology, often associated with the foretelling of death. Known for her mournful wail or scream, the Banshee’s appearance is seen as an omen that someone close to the listener is about to die. Her origins lie deep in Celtic folklore, where she was seen as a messenger from the Otherworld. The Banshee is often depicted as either a beautiful young woman or an old, withered hag, depending on the legend.

History[]

The Banshee has its roots in Irish mythology, where she is known as a harbinger of death. Her name is derived from the Gaelic bean sí (pronounced "ban-shee"), meaning "woman of the fairy mound" or "fairy woman." These mounds, or sidhe, are thought to be entrances to the Otherworld, a mystical realm in Celtic belief.

The Banshee’s role in folklore is typically that of a messenger, warning families of imminent death. Some legends say that Banshees only appear to select Irish families, especially those of noble lineage, including the O’Neills, O’Connors, and O’Briens. Her presence is seen as both a blessing, for offering a warning, and a curse, as her wails signify death is near.

Characteristics[]

Appearance[]

The Banshee can take various forms, often depending on the specific legend. In some stories, she is a beautiful, ethereal young woman dressed in white with long, flowing hair. In other tales, she appears as an old, withered crone with ragged clothing, a haggard face, and hollow eyes. Both forms carry the same eerie, otherworldly presence, and her wail is said to chill anyone who hears it to the bone.

Her ghostly figure is often draped in a pale, mist-like cloak, and she may be seen floating or hovering above the ground. The Banshee’s eyes are sometimes depicted as red, swollen from centuries of weeping.

Behaviour[]

The Banshee is primarily known for her mournful, wailing cry, which is said to be heard shortly before the death of a family member or loved one. The wail of the Banshee can be heard from great distances, and its tone varies from a soft, sorrowful keening to a bone-chilling scream. Her lament is often compared to the sound of the wind or a woman weeping in despair.

While she is not considered an aggressive or malevolent spirit, the Banshee’s presence is feared due to the deathly omen she brings. In some accounts, she may be seen combing her hair with a silver comb, and picking up a Banshee's comb is considered bad luck.

Habitat[]

The Banshee is most commonly associated with rural areas of Ireland and Scotland, particularly near ancient burial mounds or isolated hills. These locations were considered entrances to the Otherworld, making them fitting homes for a spirit such as the Banshee. She is also said to appear near the homes of the person whose death she is foretelling, often hovering outside windows or along lonely roads.

Strengths[]

Foreteller of Death - The Banshee’s wail serves as a warning of an impending death, giving her a powerful, though indirect, influence over life and death.
Invisibility - In some stories, the Banshee can choose to be invisible, allowing her to observe without being seen.
Ethereal - Being a spirit, the Banshee cannot be harmed by physical damage.

Weaknesses[]

Non-Aggressive - The Banshee is not an aggressive or harmful entity. Her powers are limited to forewarning rather than causing harm directly.
Bound to Families - In some stories, Banshees are bound to specific families, particularly those with noble Irish lineage. This limits their scope of influence.
Symbolic Influence - The Banshee’s wail is more symbolic than physical, meaning she has little direct interaction with the living world, other than her eerie presence.

Reported Sightings[]

The O’Brien Family Banshee (1801)[]

One of the most famous Banshee sightings occurred in 1801, when the Banshee was said to have appeared before the death of the Earl of Inchiquin, a member of the O’Brien family. Witnesses claimed to have heard a wailing cry outside the family’s estate the night before the Earl’s passing, confirming the Banshee’s role in foretelling death among noble Irish families.

The Rossmore Banshee (1874)[]

In 1874, Lord Rossmore, a prominent figure in Irish society, reportedly encountered the Banshee the night before his death. Friends and family recounted how they heard a piercing scream echoing through the castle shortly before he passed away. This event further cemented the belief that the Banshee appears to warn of death among Ireland’s elite.

The Kinnitty Castle Sighting (1948)[]

A more recent report of a Banshee sighting occurred in 1948 at Kinnitty Castle, where guests and staff alike reported hearing eerie wails and spotting the ghostly figure of a woman outside the castle. The sighting coincided with the death of a close relative of the castle’s owners, leading many to believe that the Banshee had returned to deliver her ominous message.

Media Appearances[]

The Banshee has appeared in a variety of media over the years, from classic folklore collections to modern adaptations in film and television.

Movies
- Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)
- The Banshee Chapter (2013)

Literature
- Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats (1888)
- The Secret of Kells (2009)

Video Games
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
- World of Warcraft

Trivia[]

The Banshee is often thought to represent the mourning of the Irish goddess The Morrígan, a deity associated with fate and death.
In some versions of the legend, multiple Banshees are said to wail together before the death of someone of great importance, forming a terrifying chorus.
The Banshee’s comb is a significant symbol in Irish folklore, and finding one is considered a bad omen.