Case file · Fairy lore
The Banshee
In Irish folklore, the bean sí ('woman of the fairy mound') is a female spirit whose wailing foretells a death in the family.
1380 CE · 52.87, -7.98 · status: legend
The account
Accounts go back at least to the Cathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh of around 1380. She may be seen combing her long hair, dressed in grey and green or white, her eyes red from weeping.
The sceptical view
The banshee is a figure of traditional belief about death, and night cries attributed to her have no verified source.
Connections in the atlas
- The killing of Bridget Cleary
- Banshee (bean sí)
- The Celts
- Irish fairy forts
- La Llorona