The Superstition of the Bunratty Banshee
When you think of Ireland and folklore, the first thing to come to mind wherever you are in the
world, has to be the dreaded Banshee. The screaming wraith dates back to the days of the
Tuatha Dé Danann and the Dalcassians. In times of war, the Banshee would appear as old
washerwoman who would be seen cleansing human heads and limbs or blood stained uniforms
in the river, turned the water crimson with human blood prior to battle.
This harbinger of death sounds the death knell for each great clan of Ireland.In 1642 Lady
Fanshawe was a guest of the O’Brien’s family, owners of Bunratty Castle.
She was woken from her slumber in the dead of night to see the moon was lighting the figure
of a pale, young red headed woman. On second, terrified glance, it became clear the bedraggled
wretch was floating at her upper story window, with only the river many feet below to break
her fall. The noblewoman remained rooted to her bed as the figure moaned in agonizing
despair. The following morning Lady Fanshawe heard a member of the family had died in the
night. The Banshee was said to be the tormented soul of a drowned servant girl.