What is the Irish legend of the banshee?

Irish legend speaks of a lament being sung by a fairy woman, or banshee. She would sing it when a family member died or was about to die, even if the person had died far away and news of their death had not yet come. In those cases, her wailing would be the first warning the household had of the death.

What Irish families have a banshee?

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.

Who is the goddess of banshees?

Clíodhna was the mythical Queen of the Banshees, the female spirits of the Tuatha Dé Danannan, and forever will be associated with the southern part of Ireland and Cork in particular. She was a Goddess of love and beauty and is surrounded by three birds whose fabulous songs could cure all ills.

What does it mean if you see a banshee?

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day for September 5, 2018 is: banshee \BAN-shee\ noun. : a female spirit in Gaelic folklore whose appearance or wailing warns a family that one of them will soon die.

Are Banshees Irish?

banshee, Irish Bean Sidhe, Scots Gaelic Ban Sith, (“woman of the fairies”) supernatural being in Irish and other Celtic folklore whose mournful “keening,” or wailing screaming or lamentation, at night was believed to foretell the death of a member of the family of the person who heard the spirit.

Are there banshees in Ireland?

What names can hear a banshee?

The story went that only those from the O’Brien’s, the O’Connor’s, the O’Neills, the Kavanagh’s and the O’Grady family could hear the cry of the Banshee.

What kills a banshee?

Malevolent Banshees Gold – A weapon of pure gold can kill a banshee. Even simply being slashed with a golden weapon hurts it. Banshee banishing spell – They can be banished by a basic spell (but not necessarily killed).