Banshee

The Banshee is one of the best-known Irish reels in the traditional repertoire. Despite its name evoking the legendary creature of Irish folklore — the banshee, a female spirit whose wailing foretells death — the tune itself is a lively, energetic reel, greatly enjoyed in sessions. Like many traditional airs, its exact origins remain uncertain, but it has long been firmly established in collections and in the oral transmission of Irish musicians.

The general public rarely knows The Banshee by title, but many fans of Celtic music will have heard it without realising it. It features regularly in folk concerts, Irish music compilations, and Ireland-inspired soundtracks. Its driving melody, with its crisp and memorable phrases, makes it an excellent piece for dancing and instrumental showcases.

In Irish sessions, The Banshee is a classic played on fiddle, tin whistle, flute, accordion, banjo, guitar, or uilleann pipes. Its sustained tempo and the characteristic accents of the reel make it an ideal tune for launching or energising a set. It is frequently paired with other well-known reels in pubs and at festivals.

In larger Celtic ensembles such as modern pipe bands or certain bagadoù, The Banshee can be arranged for bagpipes, bombardes, and percussion. Played collectively, it gains in power while retaining its dance-like character. In Brittany, this kind of Irish air finds a natural home within inter-Celtic exchanges, particularly in concerts or suites drawing on the Irish repertoire.