Banshee

The Banshee, or "Woman of the Fairies," is a foreteller of death. Banshee are attached to particular families and their cry or wail is only heard when a family member is about to die.

Banshee are reported to be either young, mournful women or old hags. With eyes that are red from weeping, she continually combs her hair with a gold or silver comb.

The first being to start the keening cry of a Banshee was the Irish goddess Brigid, one of the Tuatha de Danaann. She wailed for the death of her only son, and that was the first keening ever heard in Ireland.

Banshee Legends Around the World
There are a great many legends of Banshee and similar creatures told in myths and folklore worldwide.

Europe
Nean Nighe

The Bean Nighe, or "Washing Woman" is a legend told in the Scottish Highlands. She appears as an old woman, washing the bloodstained linen of those who are about to die. If the linen belongs to the observer, he or she will not have long left to live.

It is believed that those who approach the Bean Nighe carefully may ask three requests of her, but these requests will only be granted if the Bean Nighe's three questions are asked first.

Some believe the Bean Nighe to be the ghost of a woman who died in childbirth. When such a death was likely, the family would help to wash the woman's clothes so that she would not have to wash them in the next lifetime forever.