A banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening. Her name is connected to the mythologically important tumuli or "mounds" that dot the Irish countryside, which are known as síde in Old Irish.

What does it mean to be called a banshee?

banshee \BAN-shee\ noun. : a female spirit in Gaelic folklore whose appearance or wailing warns a family that one of them will soon die.

Who does the banshee cry for?

According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.