An Irish Welcome

She terrified the Ireland of old, but what exactly is the banshee?

What is the banshee?

The mere mention of the term banshee is likely to instil an immediate sense of fear in young and old alike. The banshee is said to be a figure with a terrifying wail who is often heard, but rarely seen, when delivering news of an impending death. Well if you believe Irish legend.

The Irish view of a banshee, while still chilling, is not as ferocious as that sometimes portrayed. Traditionally the banshee attached herself to families with an O or Mc prefix to their surname, however these lines have been blurred somewhat over the centuries due to marriage.

Believed to take on many different forms, folklore has described

the banshee in many ways, both young and old but usually with long grey or silver-coloured hair and blood red eyes as her defining features.

Contrary to some beliefs, the banshee doesn’t bring death or cause death, rather she warns families about impending death in order to allow them prepare. It is also believed that the banshee plays the role of escort to those passing to the other side as she herself met a gory and violent death.

The name banshee originates from “Bean Sí” which literally translates as “woman of the hills”, the very place many concerning the banshee are set.