With apologies to Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson but every Irish family has one, they’re the Banshees of Irish-own.
My Dear Old Mum’s family, the McNulty/McGlincheys were the pre-eminent clan of their townland Brockagh of their time, the early 20th century.
And so when matters of import for the dynasty occurred the community heard about it.
And when one of the 15 (yes, f-i-f-t-e-e-n) children fell in The Great War the banshee was the first to alert the McNulty Matriarch.
Even before the Man from the War Office arrived with the commemorative pot and the document confirming one of her sons had died in Flanders.
The spirit of Ireland
Their spirit still blows through the Co. Donegal hamlet.
And you might feel their presence all the more at this time of year as the ghosties gather for Halloween.
Which is, as we all know, is a Celtic feast the Irish exported to the New World and which we imported back from Hallmark.
Now, we’re contractually obliged to say that other banshees are available.
Farrell’s phantom
And if you want to follow in the phantom steps of the Banshees of Inisherin from the film.
Then the good people of Achill in Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland are happy to oblige with the Banshees of Inisherin trail.
Now our old pals at Tourism Ireland have access to everyone and anyone to help promote their island.
And here are some of the banshees they recommend you seek out when you visit.
The scary mother-in-law
The Banshee of Duckett’s Grove, Co. Carlow: And, of course, what would Halloween be without a mother-in-law?
Not strictly a mother-in-law here… more the vengeful ma of the plaything of the lord of the manor who died under a horse.
Ma has had the last word though returning to haunt William Duckett ever since.
Clare-raising tales
The Bunratty Banshee, Co. Clare: Bunratty has seen it all in the 770 years that a castle has stood in these grounds.
Our favourite tale surrounds a guest of the O’Brien clan who awoke in the night to the sound of a woman wailing.
Out of her window, a pale, red-headed girl floating outside.
The next day, a member of the O’Brien family was found dead.
Not, of course, to put you off visiting the Castle and Folk Park… although maybe not look out of the window.
O’Neill in the coffin
The Banshees of Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim: Now those who know their history will know of the Flight of the Earls, well this is the Flight of the Ghouls.
In the early 1800s, Earl O’Neill’s Lough Neagh house party ended in tragedy when he requisitioned the room set aside for the banshee.
Only for her to set it on fire in anger with guests noticing her floating above the flames.
All of which spooky spectres will make you want to keep your wits about you when you visit.
Because the Banshees of Irish-own are always hovering.