beliefs & stories from across the globe
of Ireland. You are perhaps backpacking; taking the trip you have put off for far too long. That
spot in the field looks pretty comfy. You decide it is as good as place as any to rest your bones.
A light fog sets in with the night. You had been listening to a nearby stream rippling over the
river stones and it was lulling you into a gentle sleep almost. Slowly, very quiet at first, you hear
what can only be explained as a woman softly moaning. (Get your mind outta the gutter
people!) This particular moan raises goosebumps on your arms that you never thought
possible! Then you laugh embarrassed at yourself. It dawns on you that you have picked a cow
field as your bed and breakfast! A cursory glance around calms you, until your eyes land on the
bank of the river. The fog is just light enough where you can barely see the outline of a body.
Yes! There is definitely someone standing there! A state of panic sets in, but you figure the
best thing to do is walk up to the owner of the land and introduce yourself.
In the back of your mind, you find it odd that someone other than you is out here virtually in
the middle of nowhere at roughly 2 a.m., but you keep walking slowly toward the figure. As you
get closer, the goosebumps return. This can't be possible! Bent over the shallow part of the
streaming river, is a woman. It looks as if she were washing clothes. She was crying, rather
than moaning. Her skin was pale, and her dress was the color of the soil. Her black hair went
down her shoulders in knotted strings. She stops what she is doing, and turns her red eyes and
looks straight at you. The wailing grows louder; more soulful, and ends in a ragged choppy cry.
That is enough to get you moving. It dawns on you that perhaps this wasn't the best choice and
time to be adventurous. Grabbing the backpack you were laying your head on, you try your
best to outdo the banshee you just witnessed by screaming ten times louder, whilst splitting a
path in the field.
The Screaming Banshee. A long time part of Ireland's supernatural past and perhaps present
as well. They say, it is never a good thing when you or your family witness a Banshee, it can
only mean that doom is impending. Someone in the family will die.
In my research, I came across an article or two that mentioned that one of the speculations on
how the Banshees could have come into paranormal history. One story is that she could have
been a woman who came to sing a funeral songs and mourn for the already deceased (a
Keener). But as my research progressed, it seems she favors that they are still alive, and
warns of the death rather than mourns after the death. There are several variations on her
appearance, including the dress she wears. Variations in color of her dress are red, black,
green, and grey (some say a cloak). Perhaps the colors worn by the ladies (Keeners) in town
that were once charged to sing at a deceased townsfolk's lonely funeral? They say that her
eyes glow red. Crying that much can probably do that to someone. She has been known to
appear as a young maiden, or an old hag. If she is spotted, it is nearly always close to water,
and many times she is seen washing clothes (some say grave clothes).
In the history of the banshee, it is said that 5 families in particular, could rely on a visit from
the sad woman. Those families are widely known as the O'Brien's, O'Neill's, O'Connor's,
O'Gradys, and the Kavanaghs (Each family had their own banshee). Through time and many
wedding vows, that number has indeed branched out into multiple families, in Ireland and other
countries as well. I am intrigued by a rather interesting common denominator between
Banshees and your average ghost. There have been past reports of a person being haunted,
and if the person being haunted moves, the ghost sometimes moves with the person or family.
(An interesting article about can be found here that discusses this phenomena in the last
section http://www.proofparanormal.com/faq.html ) If a paranormal investigator goes to
investigate a haunting, they run the risk of the ghost attaching to them and enjoying the ride
home (Although in investigative cases the ghost usually is said to return to where they came
from). But the same is the case with the banshee. If the family has a banshee attached to it, it
doesn't matter where they move, the banshee will move right along with them.
Another interesting little tidbit is that if there are several banshees that cry in unison, that is
usually conceived as a warning that someone that is holy or highly respected is about to die.
There are variations in the actual sound the banshee makes. Some reports say it is almost like
the sound of the wind while others say the sound can be compared to that of wings fluttering,
and of course the sounds of sorrowful cries and wails. I was curious to know the derivation of
the banshee, and the stories vary on that aspect as well. Some reports say they are angels
sent down to help the grieving family. Some say they are the ghosts of the women that once
cried at the funerals. (As mentioned above) She is also referred to as a fairy. Some speculate
that it is a demon, who cries for souls that are going to Heaven.
Other terms you might encounter are bean-sidh, washing woman (you will find this term
frequently in Scotland as well), and bean chaointe (keener) also bean-si has been coined.
Banshees have been reported in Ireland, England, Scotland and The USA Nonetheless, if you
decide to go backpacking in Ireland, listen closely when you hear the wind blowing.
Fairies. Such cute little critters aren't they? Not always. Society's depiction of the fairy is
perhaps a 2 inches tall being with sparkly wings and a dress made from a flower. It goes beyond
that. There is also a more mystifying and not so cute side to the fairy folk.
The list of different kinds of fairies and their purposes is a long list that is compiled of kind
fairies and not so kind fairies. The line from where many of the creatures derive from is a
blurred one, and some that I will mention may perhaps go beyond the boundaries of Ireland.
Included in the fairy race, but most definitely not limited to be as follows:
-Will-o-the-wisp- Also known as the pooka or flying pooka ( some say it is an evil fairy) If you
happen to be walking along a river stream, and see a sort of intelligible glowing light floating
gracefully above the stream, it is not advisable to follow it. Legend says that it could indeed be
a Will-o-the-wisp that will lead a person down a stream to be lost or to their demise. Although
many say it is nothing more than marsh gas.
Colt-Pixie, leads horses to be lost. They are known to hop, and do not have wings. Considered
to be mischievous and enjoy playing pranks.
Cluricaun Most of us have heard of the leprechaun, but how many have heard of the
Cluricaun? Troublesome is one word to describe the Cluricaun. The Cluricaun is the cousin if
you will of the leprechaun. As where the Leprechaun chooses to make his mischief when
provoked, the Cluricaun will go looking for trouble. He is much like a leprechaun in appearance
as well but prefers the hours of darkness as where the leprechaun prefers day time. Cluricauns
are known to enter one's home at night, and steal food, eat it, and dance around as well as
disrupt the household. It is also been said that it will frighten the children. They are also known
to steal what they wish to have, or borrow, if necessary. (Don't expect to get the item returned)
They have also been said to steal livestock.
Dullahan This mysterious figure can be found taking a ride on his steed. By his side, he carries
his head. Some accounts say that the head glows, in turn he uses it as a lantern. If the
Dullahan stops riding, someone close by will die. One account I read was of a gentleman that
has claimed to see the Dullahan. The first thing he thought to do was cover his ears, in fear
that the Dullahan would speak his name as the intended deceased. Later that evening, a car
crashed where he had witnessed the Dullahan, and a man died in the accident The man goes
on to suggest that the Dullahan had been there for the car accident victim instead. Although I
have read conflicting reports that say the Dullahan never speaks, therefore it seems odd that it
would call out the name of the soon to be departed.
Dullaghan, far dorocha, dark man, and also Crom Dubh are other terms you may hear for this
creature.
Changelings These fairies are dreaded in households across Ireland. They tend to lack to
ability to breed properly, and the offspring are usually deformed miserable little beings. The
changelings are replaced with normal babies that are stolen from human families. They usually
have yellowish skin and are very thin. The only thing that makes them happy is to see misery
bestowed on others in the household. Perhaps Corrigan, a female fairy and former druid had
something to do with the changelings around Brittany. She was often blamed for the exchanges
because she adored cute little human babies.
There are several lists of fairies that I have found that are very informative, some are even
listed by region. I have included several links at the end of this article.
The White Light of Crom: I came across an interesting story about a supernatural event called
The White Light of Crom. In the 1970's a white glowing ball of light floated around the lake near
Crom Castle. This light is another example of predictions of doom. If the light appears, a
catastrophe will soon occur. Not very much information could be found on this event.
Dearg-due: the Dearg-due is a supernatural being that has a thirst for blood. Ireland's answer
to the vampire. It is rumored that she arises once a year, and sucks men dry of their blood.
Some folks say that her favorite places to dwell are graveyards. They say the only way to keep
her from rising from her grave, is to build a cairn (a pile of stones) atop her grave. Irish tradition
holds that this is a way to memorialize the deceased.
Yes indeed, Ireland, all 200 x 300 miles, is full of things that go bump in the night. So if you are
thinking about taking a paranormal tour of all the haunted castles you may find there, just
remember, that outside the walls of that spooky old castle, are things that are perhaps more
sinister waiting for you.
Tracey H.
PROOF Paranormal
http://sarah-liz1976.tripod.com/id22.html
http://faeryland.bravehost.com/TypesOfFairy.html
http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/naturespirit/intro.html
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13311.asp
http://www.veryfaery.com/
http://c10-ss-1-lb.cnet.com/reference/Fairy?redir=1
http://www.efairies.com/fairy_lore.htm
http://www.irelandseye.com/
http://www.witchesway.net/links/fairy/
http://www.proofparanormal.com/faq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_o'_the_wisp