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Banshee
Her wail pierces the night—someone in your family will die before dawn. This spirit has followed certain Irish families for centuries. To hear her cry is to know death is imminent. No one escapes her warning.
Ancient - Present
Ireland and Scotland
10000+ witnesses
The Banshee is Ireland’s most famous death omen.
The Legend
According to Irish folklore:
The Banshee (bean sídhe):
- “Woman of the fairy mounds”
- Appears before death
- Her cry is the warning
- Attached to Irish families
- Ancient tradition
Her Cry
The wail:
- Piercing and mournful
- Heard at night
- Unmistakable
- Signals imminent death
- In the family she follows
Appearance
Described as:
- Old woman in gray
- Or young, beautiful, pale
- Long silver hair
- Red from weeping eyes
- Sometimes combing hair
Family Connection
She follows:
- Old Irish families
- Especially O’Neills, O’Briens
- O’Connors, O’Gradys
- For generations
- Loyal to bloodline
Multiple Banshees
For great deaths:
- Several appear together
- Called “bean chaointe”
- Keening women
- Greater the person
- More banshees wail
Not Malevolent
Important to note:
- She doesn’t cause death
- Only announces it
- More messenger than threat
- Shows connection
- To otherworld
Modern Reports
Even today:
- People report hearing wails
- Before family deaths
- In Ireland and diaspora
- Tradition continues
- Not forgotten