Banshee?

The Walsho

Hi, just wondering if anyone there has experienced or heard of any stories with banshees. Reckon there's any truth in 'em? Some friends of mine have, which I'll share when I have more time. Sorry if there's already been a thread about this!

kshiel

The stories I have been told about her is that she brings news of a death to this world and warns the other side a soul is coming.

http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/banshee.html

qwytre

Have you ever heard cats "cry" at 4am ? They start this crying which sounds very like a baby crying but is really weird and scary. It is without doubt the scariest thing I ever heard in the dead of night just outside my bedroom window as I dint know cats do that. I bet the bansee story started from that...

The Walsho

Yeah you're dead right there, my sister was out one night with a few mates (a few of whom were usually fearless guys) and they all came home that night scared shítless because of the noise they heard, which they were convinced was a Banshee. She described it as sounding kinda like a baby crying, or a cat wailing.
However I've heard stories of people actually seeing a 'Banshee' and both descriptions sounded the same (old hag screaming and combing her hair). Family members then died within the next week in both cases. :eek:

twanda

I remember my mother telling me that her father saw the banshee one night sitting uder the ash tree out in the garden, crying and wailing. She had her back to him but he said she looked like a little old woman. Dunno whether he said she was combing her hair or something like that. He cut down the ash tree the next day.
My mother couldn't remember if anyone in the family had died around that time or not.

My brother and his girlfniend claim they heard the banshee one night, a week or so before my uncle died. They were too scared to look out the window to see if there was anything there. My mother tried to tell them it was cats but my brother had grown up listening to the neighbours cats wailing and he said it was definitely not the same..

Jotter

yep piece of advice given to me by my granny whos sister saw a banshee sitting in ditch - not sure if that story was just aimed at scaring me! - is if you see banshee and she drops her comb never pick it up or you die in the coming days - they comb their hair saying o conoo or something to that affect and if you hear a knock on window at nite dont look out or someone in your faily will die:eek: my granny was from country so i took all her stories as gospel - still wouldnt mess with a fairy fort even though i dont believe in them!!

Twinkers

I believe I heard one the night before my Dad died. I heard what I can only describe is a woman moaning and wailing like she was inconsolable.
Like Twanda's brother I've heard cats crying before but this was nothing like that.
We got a call about an hour later to say that my Dad taken a turn and he passed away the next morning.

The Walsho

Thanks for the replies, I always find these stories very interesting!

Plug

I heard a cat screaming last night, too terrified to look out the window after reading these post's:D

faceman

I remember reading somewhere that the banshee only appears or warns or whatever to certain irish familys of certain descent. Cant remember the family names tho

6th

The bean-sidhe (woman of the fairy may be an ancestral spirit appointed to forewarn members of certain ancient Irish families of their time of death. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.

Whatever her origins, the banshee chiefly appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a raddled old hag. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.)The Banshee She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood stained clothes of those who are about to die. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).

Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. In 1437, King James I of Scotland was approached by an Irish seeress or banshee who foretold his murder at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl. This is an example of the banshee in human form. There are records of several human banshees or prophetesses attending the great houses of Ireland and the courts of local Irish kings. In some parts of Leinster, she is referred to as the bean chaointe (keening woman) whose wail can be so piercing that it shatters glass. In Kerry, the keen is experienced as a "low, pleasant singing"; in Tyrone as "the sound of two boards being struck together"; and on Rathlin Island as "a thin, screeching sound somewhere between the wail of a woman and the moan of an owl".

The banshee may also appear in a variety of other forms, such as that of a hooded crow, stoat, hare and weasel - animals associated in Ireland with witchcraft.

Article: http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/banshee.html

The above is a nice short explaination but I personally believe that there is alot more to the Banshee than than is commonly known.

The 'Banshee' seems to be a definition of a role or job title and its like saying what a baker is. You can define what it is that they are meant to do, the function they perform but as individuals who are they? I suppose you could be causual and ask: When a Banshee is wailing, what is she doing?

I believe they exist, I believe there is more than one and whats more I believe there are people who know alot more about them than people who write articles about them on the net.

Muineach

Where I live at the minute a lot of people must be going to die :P
The crying, wailing, and sounding like a baby can be put down to the local foxe's, I've grown up with them so I naturally assumed everyone knew about it, it did frighten the bejesus out of a few friends from college while walking home on a empty road, with no street lights, and yes they were from Dublin and hadn't seen a road without street lights.
Could be foxes or could be the real thing, who knows ?

faceman

6th wrote:

I believe they exist, I believe there is more than one and whats more I believe there are people who know alot more about them than people who write articles about them on the net.

why so?

6th

Yep, I've heard foxes & cats .... but thats not to say that because there is something out there that sounds the same as what a banshee is believe to sound like that all accounts are of a fox or cat.

Just going by a sound I couldnt answer what something was, if I dont see a cat, fox or banshee then I'm not going to say its any of those things.

6th

Because a personal experience a while back pushed me into looking alot closer at Banshee and similar entities. People forget that 100% information for everything is not available on the net. People seem to think that all the facts are available to us at the push of a button ..... do you really believe that?

macfran

The families they were supposed to follow were the Os and the Macs/Mcs.
Being a member of one of the clans it was passed on to me.

I grew up in Dublin and heard lots of stories about the banshee but with street lighting and parents who were not superstitious I was not too impressed but in 1979 I moved to the country and one night I heard this screech like nothing I never heard before and the hairs on me head..never mind me neck stood on end. I wanted to move back to Dublin the next day but by asking locally the cause of the noise was a fox, it's a mating call or warning and as the foxes have realised that suburbia has a lot to offer..food wise.. they are very much part of housing estate habitat.

I think a lot of the ghost and banshee stories are from the pre electrity times when the country was black dark and people mostly cycled on the country roads.

6th

Traditionally its just the 5 families.

the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.

faceman

6th wrote:

Because a personal experience a while back pushed me into looking alot closer at Banshee and similar entities. People forget that 100% information for everything is not available on the net. People seem to think that all the facts are available to us at the push of a button ..... do you really believe that?

sorry i wasnt having a pop. Its just of all paranormal stories, i find the tail of the banshee most flawed. Although i have had quite a few supernatural experiences, i just have yet to be convinced on this one. But im open minded though and eager to hear tails from people who have seen her as opposed to people who know people who have.

When we were growing up, everyone knew someone who had seen her, particularly older generations.

Muineach

here's a sample of a typical fox "scream" http://www.vulpes.org/foxden/sounds/typical-fox-yell.wav
It's easy to understand how it can freak you out if you never heard one before.

c - 13

Hey all, first time poster on this board. Not usually big into the paranormal (I used to be) but have always had an intrest in the Banshee stories.

Jotter wrote:

yep piece of advice given to me by my granny whos sister saw a banshee sitting in ditch - not sure if that story was just aimed at scaring me! - is if you see banshee and she drops her comb never pick it up or you die in the coming days - they comb their hair saying o conoo or something to that affect and if you hear a knock on window at nite dont look out or someone in your faily will die:eek: my granny was from country so i took all her stories as gospel - still wouldnt mess with a fairy fort even though i dont believe in them!!

I was told this one too with a slightly different spin.
Basically if you took the comb the Banshee would come to reclaim it and would follow you anywhere until she got it. She would come in the night and wail outside the house.
Thats why I blame my parents for me having a fear of combs lying ominously on the street when I was younger !

Owen

You are banned from Paranormal.

6th

faceman wrote:

sorry i wasnt having a pop. Its just of all paranormal stories, i find the tail of the banshee most flawed. Although i have had quite a few supernatural experiences, i just have yet to be convinced on this one. But im open minded though and eager to hear tails from people who have seen her as opposed to people who know people who have.

When we were growing up, everyone knew someone who had seen her, particularly older generations.

I didnt think you were making a pop at all. I was just making the point that I believe that information is passed on by word of mouth alot with regards to some aspects of the supernatural. Not everything is going to turn up on the net.

My belief in the Banshee stems partially from an experience in Ross with a group from here. What I experiences may not (most likely) have been a banshee but someone experience it might interperate it as one. At the end of the day its all about the people who experience these things, how they tell the stroy will have an impact of the definition of the experience.

The experience I had in Ross the first time is covered here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054982177 - but there was more on the second trip.

stevenmu

Ned, this forum is discussing the paranormal, in all it's aspects. Unless you have strong evidence to support a position that the banshee does not exist and is "stupid", then don't make such claims here. If you wish to continue posting here, please read the charter.

Archeron

My mum and her sister had an experience with a banshee when they were in their early twenties. Strangely, it was right in the centre of Dublin, which kind of goes against the grain of most stories I've heard. This episode did result in my mums brother dying within two weeks.

Also, in the estate that I grew up in had a particular occasion whereby a families home burned down. Apparently (I didnt see it) a banshee was sighted on the homes back shed as it burned, and was witnessed by dozens of people. Possible mass imagination, but it was a popular tale at the time. I 100% believe the story from my mum though, as my whole family, (me included) have had numerous experiences with totally inexplicable events.

Tricity Bendix

A Vixen's call has been described as the root of the banshee story. Its an absolutely gastly sound. I live in Dublin City, but we've got plenty of foxes. I spent many a night awake listeningto vixen calls as a child, although of course I didn't know what they were at the time.

I've heard people tell stories of banshees before. They often speak of red-haired old woman who can move faster than a human. This could again be a red fox.

6th

Sure there are plenty of noises in the world that sound similar or to some the same but that is not to say that only one source can be the genuine cause for all accounts.

I have heard a fox scream and its horrid but I've never heard what i believe t o be a banshee. Also the wail of the banshee is only one of the things attributed to her though I have never heard it said that she has red hair.

Nevyn

The washer at the ford or the washer woman is another aspect or form of the Banshee, that form falls under one of the aspects of the battle Godess of The Morrigan.
A warrior on the way to battle would see the washer woman washing his own cloak or tunic and if blood ran from it, such a vision was said to be a death omen.
The red hair also ties in with The Morrigan, who could appear as any age.

Ziycon

From what i remember the banshee was a woman years ago that went around to pickup people that were about to die or something like that back in the old'en days, it was a job! Im very rusty on the whole story!

Nevyn

They are a death omen not a reaper of souls.

Ziycon

Thaedydal wrote:

They are a death omen not a reaper of souls.

This is what i ment:

She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood stained clothes of those who are about to die. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).

http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/banshee.html

KBarry

My mum told me her eldest brother saw and heard a banshee in Armagh city. It would have been late 50's/early 60's. Don't have any more details but I'd be interested to hear. Must remember to gently broach the subject next time I see my uncle.

faceman

Ziycon wrote:

From what i remember the banshee was a woman years ago that went around to pickup people that were about to die or something like that back in the old'en days, it was a job! Im very rusty on the whole story!

interesting, i had believed that they were originally women who went to funerals and in some case were paid to go to funerals and be upset.

kshiel

faceman wrote:

interesting, i had believed that they were originally women who went to funerals and in some case were paid to go to funerals and be upset.

I know I read somewhere about that, cannot remember at hand. But a particular woman would sing at the funeral to send the message to the otherside that the soul was on the way and I think she tied in with the washer woman who washed the clothes at the lake as well or performed some sort of ritual while the boats set off to fight. I could be very wrong but I am sure I will be corrected but I thought these were seen more as Guardians??

faceman

interesting how the fables/myths can deviate! Im not sure how the banshee went from funeral service entertainment to supernatural being tho! Is there a story behind it?

undecided

The banshee comes to warn of a death has always followed my mothers side of family. My mother and my gran saw one in the ditch years ago about a week before my grandad died. My mother has got a warning for most of the deaths in her family either by hearing her cry or by the ticking in the wall. I spent many years laughing at my mother until she called me in to hear the warning and was a death 3 days later. needless to say I would laugh at her again freaked me out so much to this day cant have a clock that ticks in the house!

Nevyn

faceman wrote:

interesting how the fables/myths can deviate! Im not sure how the banshee went from funeral service entertainment to supernatural being tho! Is there a story behind it?

Keening is separate from the BanShee.

In Irish folklore, the Bean Sidhe ("woman of the hills") is a spirit or fairy who presage a death by wailing. She is popularly known as the Banshee. She visits a household and by wailing she warns them that a member of their family is about to die. Banshees were common in Irish and Scottish folk stories such as those written down by Herminie T. Kavanagh. They enjoy the same mythical status in Ireland as fairies and leprechauns. They are also known in German culture as "Washer women" and in France as "Dames blanches".


Aka : Washer of the Shrouds, Washer at the Banks, Washer at the Ford, Cointeach, Cyhiraeth, Cyoerraeth, Gwrach y Rhibyn, Eur-Cunnere Noe, Bean sidhe, Bean Chaointe, the Bean-nighe, Kannerez-Noz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banshee
http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Banshee
http://www.answers.com/topic/bean-nighe
http://www.answers.com/topic/banshee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean_Nighe


The English word 'Keen' is from the Irish 'Caoineadh' meaning lament.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keening

Written sources that refer to the practice in Ireland reappear from the sixteenth century on. It should be noted however that the principle of improvised vocal lament is in no way reserved to Ireland (the term keen is also used with reference to Scottish tradition) and that laments are documented from various cultures around the world.

The Irish tradition of the keen must be considered in the context of the wake (funeral customs surrounding the "waking" of the dead, i.e. the practice of watching over the corpse the night before the burial), which entailed a series of rules to be observed in all that concerned the funeral rites. The "keen" itself is thought to have been constituted of stock poetic elements (the listing of the genealogy of the deceased, praise for the deceased, emphasis on the woeful condition of those left behind etc.) set to vocal lament. While generally carried out by one or several women, a chorus may have been intoned by all present. Physical movements involving rocking, kneeling or clapping accompanied the keening woman ("bean caoinadh") who was often paid for her services.

After consistent opposition from the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland (Synods opposed the practice in 1631, 1748 and 1800) that went so far as to recommend excommunication for offenders, the practice became extinct; the Church's position is however unlikely to have been the sole cause. Although some recordings have been made and the practice has been documented up to recent times, it is generally considered to be extinct or to have become extinct in our lifetime.

girloperfection

i really shouldnt have read all this before trying to go to sleep :eek:

hiorta

....and a fearful imagination are likely origins of much folklore, especially in the days of the tilley and hurrican lamps.
All the vast universe is ordered by Natural Law and there is much that is far beyond human ken, but curiosity rather than fear might be the useful approach.

We must all 'die' at some point, but that too, is Natural Law. Death is really nothing more than a liberation, a freeing of our true selves into a greater life, a more welcoming environment, where those of our own who have already made that wee journey await.
There is no judgement on you, except that which you, yourself will pass, after having reviewed your earthly chapter, your successes and failures, which we all have.

hepek

Well my uncle(hm,why is it always an uncle)saw a Banshee,but as a former soldier he...Well he shot it.But this is the interesting part,both him and my aunt saw it go down.Alas when they came to the spot they couldn't find anything.However,my cousin on his dying bed(he had lung cancer)suddenly got better and the doctors said that it stopped spreading so they could take it out.And all ended well,except for the Banshee.Do you think this is a coincidence???

ag1975

i heard horses galloping the night my dad died.. no possible explanation for it..

Rossibaby

do you live in town or city,what type ground did it sound like,a clop clop oftype patter of a road or the wave liek sound of horses thundering in a field.was there no horses absolutely near you?

DeeLeeDee

My Aunt, who is in her seventies now has had many paranormal experiences,
She used to scare the crap out of me when I was a kid...
She is very religious and I know for sure she wouldn't lie...
Anyways, she saw a Banshee in the 50s/60s in Athlone Town, around the Northgate Street area, she said she saw a woman with very long hair, combing it through, and when she reached the end of it would let an ungodly wail and start again from the top.... I can't remember if she said anyone died soon after, It was years ago when she told me. She's pretty reluctant to talk about these things now. I won't give our surname but we are not of those five families.
Both my sets of Grandparents were from Athlone, and the Northgate Street, Abbey Road and east side of the river have a lot of stories attached to them.
I hope to set up a forum on this as soon as I can find out how... This is my first post.

ag1975

on a main road between two small towns! absolutly no horses within an asses roar! it was strange.. my mother was in the house also but did not hear it.

scoobydoo2

6th wrote:

Article: http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/banshee.html

The above is a nice short explaination but I personally believe that there is alot more to the Banshee than than is commonly known.

The 'Banshee' seems to be a definition of a role or job title and its like saying what a baker is. You can define what it is that they are meant to do, the function they perform but as individuals who are they? I suppose you could be causual and ask: When a Banshee is wailing, what is she doing?

I believe they exist, I believe there is more than one and whats more I believe there are people who know alot more about them than people who write articles about them on the net.

In days gone by people used to pay for the services of these women to come to the funeral of a loved one a wail for them. This is why there is an association with certain families as only the fairly well off could afford this service but as has been said due to inter marrige the banshee follows many Irish families now including mine, and i can assure she sounds nothing like cats or any animal. When you hear it you know its not of this world.

hiorta

The term 'banshee' is the anglicised 'bean sithe' or fairy wife.

As in most cultures, the lady gathers more notice than the poor wee male - 'an-t-sith'.

There is no tradition in Scotland of shreiking lady fairies that I'm aware of, except maybe outside the pub at closing.

Never heard 'am bean-sithe' myself, more likely just a theological myth to keep fear alive.