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The Banshee: The Irish Spirit That Warns You Before Death
What is a banshee… and why did people believe her cry meant death was coming?
In this episode of The Violet Hour Podcast, Nicole explores the chilling legend of the banshee—one of the most haunting figures in Irish folklore.
Far from a monster, the banshee was believed to be a messenger of death, warning families when someone they loved was about to pass.
You’ll hear:
- The true meaning of the word banshee (bean sidhe)
- Why only certain Irish families were said to have one
- Real historical encounters, including Lady Anne Fanshawe
- The connection between banshees and Irish keening traditions
- Similar death omens across cultures, from La Llorona to the bean nighe
This isn’t just a ghost story.
It’s about grief, memory, and the strange ways humans try to understand death.
Listen now… and decide for yourself what that sound in the dark really is.
Sources & Further Reading (Chicago author-date style)
- Fanshawe, Lady Anne. The Memoirs of Lady Fanshawe. Edited by Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1829. https://amzn.to/3oxoClv
- Wilde, Lady Jane Francesca. Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland. London: Ward and Downey, 1887. https://amzn.to/3BdoTBt
- O'Donnell, Elliott. The Banshee. London: Philip Allan & Co., 1920. https://amzn.to/3zrRHUD
- McAnally, D. R., Jr. Irish Wonders: The Ghosts, Giants, Pookas, Demons, Leprechauns, Fairies, Witches, Widows, Old Maids, and Other Marvels of the Emerald Isle. Boston: Ticknor and Company, 1888. https://amzn.to/3zb57UR
- McGarry, Jim. The Story We Carry in Our Bones: Irish History for Americans. Dublin: The O'Brien Press, 2015. https://amzn.to/3RU31B4
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
Enjoyed this dive into forgotten weird history? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify—it helps more than you know!
Share with a friend who loves strange-but-true tales.
Got a weird story? Email [email protected].
Find us:
Instagram: @violethourpodcast
Twitter: @TheVioletHour
Facebook: @VioletHourPodcast
Support this endeavor: https://www.patreon.com/violethourpodcast
This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea
Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.
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By The Violet Hour PodcastWhat is a banshee… and why did people believe her cry meant death was coming?
In this episode of The Violet Hour Podcast, Nicole explores the chilling legend of the banshee—one of the most haunting figures in Irish folklore.
Far from a monster, the banshee was believed to be a messenger of death, warning families when someone they loved was about to pass.
You’ll hear:
- The true meaning of the word banshee (bean sidhe)
- Why only certain Irish families were said to have one
- Real historical encounters, including Lady Anne Fanshawe
- The connection between banshees and Irish keening traditions
- Similar death omens across cultures, from La Llorona to the bean nighe
This isn’t just a ghost story.
It’s about grief, memory, and the strange ways humans try to understand death.
Listen now… and decide for yourself what that sound in the dark really is.
Sources & Further Reading (Chicago author-date style)
- Fanshawe, Lady Anne. The Memoirs of Lady Fanshawe. Edited by Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1829. https://amzn.to/3oxoClv
- Wilde, Lady Jane Francesca. Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland. London: Ward and Downey, 1887. https://amzn.to/3BdoTBt
- O'Donnell, Elliott. The Banshee. London: Philip Allan & Co., 1920. https://amzn.to/3zrRHUD
- McAnally, D. R., Jr. Irish Wonders: The Ghosts, Giants, Pookas, Demons, Leprechauns, Fairies, Witches, Widows, Old Maids, and Other Marvels of the Emerald Isle. Boston: Ticknor and Company, 1888. https://amzn.to/3zb57UR
- McGarry, Jim. The Story We Carry in Our Bones: Irish History for Americans. Dublin: The O'Brien Press, 2015. https://amzn.to/3RU31B4
Free delivery on your first order over $35.
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Allswell - Your Dream Bed Starts Here
Free delivery on your first order over $35.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
Enjoyed this dive into forgotten weird history? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify—it helps more than you know!
Share with a friend who loves strange-but-true tales.
Got a weird story? Email [email protected].
Find us:
Instagram: @violethourpodcast
Twitter: @TheVioletHour
Facebook: @VioletHourPodcast
Support this endeavor: https://www.patreon.com/violethourpodcast
This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea
Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.