The Banshee

by Elliott O'Donnell

Accounts of hauntings by Banshees, published in 1907 by Elliott O'Donnell, the renowned Victorian ghost hunter and authority on the supernatural. A Banshee is said to be a female family ghost that only haunts families of very ancient Irish lineage. One Irish authority (Mr McAnnaly, author of "Irish Wonders") defines a Banshee as: "The Banshee attends only the old families, and though their descendants, through misfortune, may be brought down from high estate to ranks of peasant farmers, she never leaves nor forgets them till the last member has been gathered to his fathers in the churchyard."
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Genres: Folklore

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2010

About the author

Elliott O'Donnell was an Irish author known primarily for his books about ghosts. He claimed to have seen a ghost, described as an elemental figured covered with spots, when he was five years old. He also claimed to have been strangled by a mysterious phantom in Dublin.

He claimed descent from Irish chieftains of ancient times, including Niall of the Nine Hostages (the King Arthur of Irish folklore) and Red Hugh, who fought the English in the sixteenth century. O'Donnell was educated at Clifton College, England, and Queen's Service Academy, Dublin, Ireland.

In later life he became a ghost hunter, but first he traveled in America, working on a range in Oregon and becoming a policeman during the Chicago Railway Strike of 1894. Returning to England, he worked as a schoolmaster and trained for the theater. He served in the British army in World War I, and later acted on stage and in movies.

As he became known as an authority on the supernatural, he was called upon as a ghost hunter. He also lectured and broadcast (radio and television) on the paranormal in Britain and the United States. In addition to his more than 50 books, he wrote scores of articles and stories for national newspapers and magazines. He claimed "I have investigated, sometimes alone, and sometimes with other people and the press, many cases of reputed hauntings. I believe in ghosts but am not a spiritualist."

Reviews

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting read. I find it fascinating to see how different cultures harbor different supernatural entities. Banshees are unique to Gaelic Irish. The author was one of the 9 Hostages that were originally plagued with these strange beings. The purpose of the Banshee seems to be to foretell the death of family members of these 9 Hostages. I would be interested to find out more about the hostages. I do have some Irish in my lineage, though I am sure my blood is not of the 9 Hostages, because I have never seen or heard a banshee. I would recommend this book to those who like ghost stories, for people who want to know more about the thoughts of real ghost hunters, or people who are interested in the culture and history of the ancient Irish. Mythology seekers would be another crowd who may enjoy this writing.

[Ciel_Ortie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly sent shivers down my spine more than once. Fascinating read !

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me very much with my project on the Welsh and Irish people and I enjoyed reading it at the same time. It's interesting what people from other parts of the world believe in or used to believe in.