The Mullinavatt "Banshee".

Some short time since the inhabitant of Mullinavatt were startled for a few nights by a strange wailing sound, supposed to be the "banshee." The circumstance was noticed at the time in the Waterford Standard. Much speculation took place as to what was the origin of the noise. Some said it was, without doubt, a real ghost; others said it was an old woman who used to be crying during the night-time, fearing the "Permissive Bill" would soon pass the House of Commons, and consequently, regretting the departure of the "good old times." It was also supposed to be a dog, suffering from a sour stomach. But, whatever it was, it took a wonderful effect for a short time; many of the boys used to go through the village after dark amusing themselves by producing strange unearthly sounds, causing terror to the credulous. Five wags, who wanted to take a "rise" out of a farmer some few miles distant, went outside his house one night at eleven o'clock, and began to cry "a la banshee," with great effect.

The farmer asked his wife to peep out through the door, but she declined; at length he persuaded his eldest son - a lad about 16 years of age - to look out of the window. Just at that moment the moon shone out faintly, and the night being cold, the five banshees thought it would not interfere with the "sport" if they had a game of leapfrog, especially as no light had yet appeared in the farm-house, nor had any sound come from it. After each jumpt the jokers stood a moment and cried afresh. The boy went back in terror.

"Well, Patsey," said the farmer, "is it a rale banshee?" "A banshee, is it you're askin'? Why, daddy, if there's one there's about a dozen in it, leppin' about like frogs, and 'bokeenthecawnin'' wid might an' main." "Saints presarve us," said the wife, "are we all goin' to die, or what is it at all! " "I'm afeared," said the farmer, "that the rent is goin' to be raised, or the 'tatoe crop gettin' a blast." To their astonishment the sounds continued long past midngiht, when the farmer and all his family and servants got up, lit fire and candles, and began to get really frightened. They commenced praying vigorously, but to no apparent purpose, as the "banshees" were now evidently crouched under the kitchen window and outside the keyhole of the door, and certainly there must be another singing out high up in the chimney! At last the boys got tired of their fun, and went home, not before the poor farmer and a servant boy got "fits" from terror, which, however, gradually wore off. Next morning the farmer found no one dead, and no greater loss than the loss of his night's rest.

The Waterford Standard, 19th May 1875.

From this I suppose we're to take that all banshees are rubbish and people who believe in them are stupid.

Tiknock, County Waterford

There is a story told of the bean-sidhe. It is said she is following some families with "O" before their names.
She is supposed to have been seen in Ardsallagh by an old woman of the place who was going to the well at twelve o'clock at night. The bean-sidhe was coming up the path from the well against her. She had a head of long hair and she was combing it. When the old woman was passing her she said "There will be sorrowful news in the morning."
When morning came there was an old man of the place dead.
My grandmother was the person whom the bean-sidhe met and it was she who told my mother and she in turn told me.

From the National Folklore Collection, UCD.

Ballycurrane South, County Waterford

Another name for the bean sidhe is the Bibe. People say she is a woman dressed in white and she has long hair, and she is always combing it.
She is heard before anyone dies, and when you would hear her you would think she would be miles away, and the cry she would leave would shake every place around. It is a lonely wailing cry.
People say that it is all the people with Os and Macs before their names she follows.
There was a man coming home one night and he met the Bibe, so he made a short cut across a wood and he came out at a cross road and the Bibe was there before him.

From the National Folklore Collection UCD.