She Scares Because She Cares: The Banshee

Have you ever heard the chilling cry of the banshee? In the first of three Halloween specials, Gillian tells Emma all about Ireland's maligned and misunderstood death messenger. They discuss when and where the banshee cries, who gets to hear her, and which deaths she's interested in foretelling, before diving into the deep roots of this supernatural woman, both folkloric and historical. How did tales of a sovereign goddess and a death messenger combine with the real-life practice of keening to create the Irish banshee? Is she a fairy – or something else entirely? And why in a country of short, dark women is she always described as a golden Barbie-like beauty?

Unruly History is the podcast that blows apart the historical canon. This episode was hosted by Dr Gillian Kenny and Dr Emma Nagouse, and produced by Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow. We are a completely independent production, so please consider subscribing at patreon.com/unrulyhistory for all kinds of exciting bonus content.

Our cover art is by the supremely talented Aaron Kite, https://itsakite.com/

Sources:

Patricia Lysaght, The Banshee: The Irish Death-Messenger (Dublin: O'Brien Press, 1986).