BANSHEE, BAN SHEE
Irish Folklore
Celtic Mythology
Attendant Spirit
The name means "Woman of the Hill" or "Woman of the Mound", is derived from the Irish bean, a woman, and si or Sidheand ancient “mound” and later “fairy”. The BANSHEE is known by many different names in various regions: in Waterford as BADBH; in Wexford, KILDARE, and in Wicklow as BADHBH; and in Kilkenny and Laois as BADHBH Chaointe. The BANSHEE is said to look like an old woman with glowing red eyes in hollow sockets and long flowing white hair; she wears a grey cloak over a green dress (the fairy color). Another description is of a woman dressed in white (the color of death) with a ghastly face surrounded by long red hair.; but lady Wilde described her as beautiful but veiled in mourning.
She is the attendant SPIRIT of old Celtic families having the surname of O’ or Mac. The BANSHEE’S wailing or Keening under the window of a family member portends their demise. Sometimes the family knows the name of the spirit; Cliodna attends the McCarthy family of south Munster, and Aoibhill attends the Dalcassion family of north Munster.
Source: Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins Encyclopedia