TALES OF THE BANSHEE

To hear the Banshee’s cry is considered to be an ill-omen as she is supposed to come for the purpose of forewarning death. She does this by melancholy wailing, appearing in the form of a young and beautiful woman, dressed in white - but she comes more frequently as a frightful old hag or else as a mere ’voice’. The origin of the Banshee is lost in the mist of antiquity. In some parts of the country she is known as the bean chaointe (keening woman) and in other places, particularly in Wexford, as the badhb which is described in Dineen’s dictionary as a ’female fairy or phantom said to be attached to certain families, appearing as a scaldcrow or roystoncrow. The bird connection predominates in the old sagas - one landing on Cuchulain’s shoulder as he lay dying, tied to the stone pillar. Tales of the Banshee is a fascinating and exciting collection of stories about the exploits of Banshees.Patrick F. Byrne is a fifth-generation Dubliner. He has been active in journalism since 1945. His other books include Irish Ghost Stories, The Second Book of Irish Ghost Stories, Witchcraft in Ireland, and The Bedside Book of Irish Ghost Stories.