Caoine of the Irish Myths

By CALEB O’CONNOR

If you ask someone to name an Irish myth or legend, chances are they’ll say the Banshee.

Banshee is the more English spelling of her name - Ban Sidhe. This translates to woman of the mound or fairy woman, and like other fairies, she’s not a good sign. While I’m speaking very directly here, there isn’t just one banshee. There are banshee’s for old Irish families to plague the name. That said, there are stories of other families, non-Irish ones, having a banshee.

But what do they do?

Banshees are known for their wailing songs, an even more haunting version of keening. Keening - from the Irish caoineadh, to weep - was a practice traditionally taken up by women. At funerals, they would wail a mournful song, full of sobs and despair. The keen of the banshee is a tell - it’s heard when a member of the family dies abroad or before the death of a family member at all. Several at once is said to sing of the death of a someone great or holy.

Where could such a creature come from?

Author I. E. Kneverday put forward the idea of the Banshee being closely linked with someone we know well; Brigid.

Brigid is the Goddess of Poetry and fertility in our pantheon, and was one of the Tuath Dé Danann, those who became the sidhe. While her story is long and interesting (well worth a read!) the main thing we’ll focus on in the Second Battle of Moytura. During this battle, Brigid’s son Ruadán fell. Upon discovering his body, she wailed as she sang a lament in honour of his life.

It’s here Mr. Kneverday proposes the Banshee was born. His articles and videos on Irish Mythology go into further detail - visit irishmyths.com for more.

Whether you are on board with the idea, I think it’s also important to consider this; while she’s certainly not a welcome caller, she does mean well.

She keens for our families and that compassion shouldn’t be forgotten.

We must also consider, if the banshee cries and no one’s around to hear it, does she make a sound? Why wouldn’t she?

Just as she cries for those we know and love, she likely cries

for those who have no one, those whose memories may be lost to the river of time.

Perhaps that keening is the last thing a soul hears as they pass on, and that must be a great comfort.

This piece by artist Walter (Instagram: gaydrums) captures an eerie beauty to the Banshee

Did you know that weeping women who herald death or misfortune are not limited to the Banshee?

Scotland:

Bean nighe / ban nigheachain / nigheag na h-áth Little washerwoman / Little washer at the ford Seen washing the bloodstained clothes or armour of those about to die.

Wales:

Cyhyraeth

A ghostly spirit with a disembodied moaning voice that sounds before a person’s death.

Mexico:

La Llorona

A woman you hear sobbing usually near rivers or canals. She’s said to drag children to their deaths because of her own horrific crimes.