After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Banshees: Herald of Death
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Dec 29, 2025 Siobhan McSweeney, a BAFTA-winning actress known for her role in 'Derry Girls', teams up with hosts Anthony and Maddy to explore the haunting world of banshees in Irish folklore. They discuss the eerie wailing associated with death, highlighting a dramatic tale from 1772 about Charles Bunworth's demise. Siobhan shares her childhood memories and insights on keening traditions. The trio also delves into the roots of banshee lore, its role in Irish identity, and the cultural impact of folklore, making for an enchanting and spine-chilling discussion.
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Bunworth’s Banshee Tale
- Charles Bunworth's death in 1772 was recalled as being preceded by a banshee encountered by his herdsman Kavanagh.
- The household later heard keening and screeching inside the house until dawn before Bunworth died quietly.
Banshee Rooted In Tuatha Dé Danann
- The banshee links to the pre-Christian Tuatha Dé Danann as a spirit of death distinct from life spirits.
- That origin makes the banshee specifically Irish rather than generically Celtic.
Banshee Tied To Family Names
- Folklore attached the banshee to particular surnames, often O- and Mc- families like O'Neill and McCarthy.
- This tethering made the banshee a marker of familial and territorial identity.
