Galway Banshee

by Sean O'Neil

The Celtic culture is riddled with myths and legends. Many diverse and enthralling stories have been told throughout the land for centuries. Some are but childish fairy tales, sometimes happy but more often not. Others, however, harken back to an older, harsher and darker world.

While these stories may appear to be simple childhood tales, they’re often mixed with a degree of horrific truth.
Where these stories originated isn’t always clear. Some are well-known tales borrowed from generation to generation, while others border on the fringes of reality.

Why do such tales exist? That in itself is another story. Figuring out the why became the obsession of those drawn into those myths and legends.

Ultimately, there are those within Irish society who seek to answer the question of why. Eamon McTaver is one of those people. He had been drawn into the great tales told around the dinner table by his father, uncles and their friends.
They all listened, back then, with bated breath as each speaker spun their tale. In many ways, it was a duty, as they were Irish and the dinner table, within an Irish home, was both a speakeasy and an altar.

Over time, myths and legends eventually became part of Eamon’s DNA. The desire to understand the nature and the why consumed him. Ultimately, he followed his calling, achieved a PhD in Irish history and landed a teaching position in Irish history at Trinity in Dublin. He soon became a leading figure in the research of Irish myths and legends.

In time, Eamon also learned that there were legends that should well enough be left buried.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

About the author

Who hasn't had dreams about becoming a writer? The image of great writers and the vision of their success, and more so, their freedom in life, appeals to many people, and it certainly appealed to me.

Writing wasn't where I thought I would be at this point in life. I'm an MBA Grad and former CEO, but I left the executive world behind to ultimately opt for a life of adventure and writing, and I am so glad I did.

I've spent the last twenty years journeying the world and finding human stories that spark my own stories. I look beyond the standard sites and tourist traps; I look for the human side that is hidden behind them and the stories that others simply don't find. I was gifted with the ability to connect with people, no matter their background. I have friendships stretching from the Philippines to India, to the Middle East to Central America. I have worked and lived on four continents, and wherever I have been, I've found the path less traveled.

I write quick, simple read books. I don't try to complicate things; I just focus on making the reading fun. I don't pretend to be the next Stephen King. I write books that I hope readers find entertaining.

I specialize in writing thrillers in three sub-genres:

My first sub-genre is Supernatural Thrillers with novels such as The Comatose Diaries, my Grindhouse series, and The Chosen to name a few. I write these in the old school style, heavy on the story build and the suspense. They are along the lines of great 1970s legends such as The Exorcists and The Omen. I often incorporate concepts such as nature as an active participant in this world, as well as God, Gaia, and the Devil, and the incredible spiritual capabilities of our Native Canadians. I don't do slasher books. In my opinion, it is simply low-brow writing.

The second sub-genre is apocalyptic/dystopian. I don't write the traditional zombie or Walking Dead stories. Mine are creative and take unique takes on the apocalypse and are really told through the characters in my stories. My novels, The Plague: Judgement Day and Demons: Judgement Day, are both best-sellers.

My final sub-genre is my smallest but very popular. I write dark romantic thrillers, including Parminder's Journey trilogy and the multi-award-winning film noir thriller, Jhill.

In all genres, I focus on quick, enthralling reads. My books are typically between 220 and 270 pages. A temporary break from reality for less than the price of a coffee.

The books are intended to draw you in and provide an escape from the world outside for a brief period of time. I do it through deep and realistic characters, complex plots with the odd twist, and a pace that makes it hard to put the book down.

I write from the heart and soul. I'm a natural storyteller. I do this because I want others to find the same joy in reading as I did when I was young. In my youth, my first book was Lord of the Rings, a gift from my father. From the day I picked that book up, I never stopped reading. I had always hoped that one day I could inspire someone to feel the same way about reading as I did then.

Reviews

[Tamires Alves · Rating 4 out of 5]

An atmospheric dive into the shadowy heart of Irish folklore. Galway Banshee had me spellbound from the first page with its masterful blend of history, myth, and haunting storytelling. Eamon McTaver is a compelling guide through this journey—a scholar driven not just by academic curiosity but a soul-deep need to understand his heritage. Sean O'Neil brings the Celtic world alive with rich detail and a touch of eerie wonder.

[Megan | · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how Galway Banshee peeled back the layers of myth to expose the darker truths underneath. It doesn’t romanticize Irish legends but treats them with reverence and realism. The way O'Neil intertwines generational storytelling, academic research, and supernatural undertones is genius. It’s as much about identity and belonging as it is about mystery.

[Rage Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a love letter to Irish folklore—one written in candlelight, whispered across generations. O’Neil delivers more than just a chilling story; he captures the essence of cultural storytelling and the fine line between truth and legend. Eamon's journey is both intellectual and deeply personal, and it’s easy to become immersed in his obsession.

[Dana Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone fascinated by ancient myths or drawn to stories that live in the murky spaces between fact and fable, Galway Banshee is a must-read. It reads like a gothic mystery infused with cultural depth. The writing is lyrical, the tone reverent but grounded, and the atmosphere is thick with history and superstition.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean O’Neil doesn’t just tell a story—he conjures a world. Galway Banshee is a beautifully layered novel that explores how myths shape our present. The haunting mood, academic setting, and the slow unraveling of ancient secrets give it a unique literary edge. It’s both educational and deeply entertaining.

[Trisza Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

O’Neil blends the scholarly with the spectral so effortlessly in Galway Banshee. It’s rare to find a book that respects myth as something living, not dead. Through Eamon, we get to see how folklore still pulses through Irish identity and imagination. Thought-provoking and suspenseful in equal measure.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever sat at a table listening to an elder spin a story that chilled your spine, this book will feel like coming home. Galway Banshee is steeped in atmosphere and reverence for the oral tradition. It manages to be both intellectually rich and eerily unsettling. Highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries and Celtic myth.

[Jamie Kwiggs · Rating 1 out of 5]

"There's a timeless quality to Galway Banshee that really struck me. It doesn’t just explore Irish folklore—it resurrects it. Eamon’s character is so richly drawn, and his descent into obsession is as thrilling as it is tragic. The writing is elegant and haunting, with just the right touch of unease.

[Jems Literary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark, mesmerizing, and deeply rooted in cultural authenticity, Galway Banshee is a triumph. Sean O'Neil writes with the precision of a historian and the soul of a poet. I found myself reflecting not only on the myths themselves but on how stories shape our understanding of the world. A literary gem.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more than a novel—it felt like an initiation into an ancient tradition. O’Neil crafts a story that bridges the scholarly and the spiritual. The legends Eamon uncovers don’t feel like fiction—they feel like whispered truths from a time before time. An unforgettable read.