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The Legend of the Badlands Banshee Haunting the Prairie

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From the Dakota prairie a legend of a wailing woman is said to haunt the area known as the Badlands. It is said that the Badlands Banshee will find those staying in her barren domain after dark. 

Deep in the Lakota’s Mako Sica, more commonly known as the Badlands is a landscape of sandstone with rugged terrain and goes from impaling cliffs to deep canyons, and amidst them all, we find the legend of the Banshee of the Badlands. 

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The Badlands in Dakota are often described as hell without fire, because of its barren terrain and the smoke seeping from the earth. This is where the word comes from as it was “bad land to traverse“. Despite of this, there are plenty of people that have traveled through these lands, and come back with the tale of an encounter with a wailing woman.

The Banshee of the Badlands

Banshee: The Banshee is an Irish entity from folklore that takes the form of a female wailing spirit. It is said that if you hear a banshee cry you will soon suffer the death of a beloved. Although the Banshee is Irish, most cultures have stories about the spirit of these wailing women.

The most retold version of the legend tells three cowboys traveling through the Badlands many years ago and stopping for the night around a campfire, the only light in the barren landscape as their herd is grassing. 

This area used to be at the bottom of the sea, but is today filled with rattlesnakes and coyotes while the bison grass on the prairie. This also used to draw the settlers from Europe to farm and cowboys would lead their flock over the grassland. 

Settling in for the night, the three cowboys noticed that something was wrong, and that someone was watching them from afar. Suddenly they saw through the darkness, a woman, almost translucent. She was described as pretty before turning scary and it’s clear, this is not a human, at least not a living one. Without saying anything else she unleashed a blood-curdling scream, her jaw twisting unnaturally wide, her eyes darkening. 

The horror of the night was far from over though and they heard a music from a fiddle coming through the night, although no one was playing and the night went on like this and the woman disappeared as the music grew louder. 

Eventually two of the cowboys fell asleep, exhausted by it all. The next morning when they awoke to blue sky and the music silenced. They found one of them missing and followed his footprints of his heavy boots, leading all the way to a steep cliff before vanishing right in front of the edge.

The cowboys quickly left as they didn’t want to be the Banshee’s next victims.  

Behind the Prairie Legend

So who, or what even is the Banshee of the Badlands? There are two battling versions as to who she was when alive, some claim a native woman killed by a settler, or vice versa. The first written account from this legends is from Charles M. Skinner from 1896 in his collection called Myths and Legends of Our Own Land, but it suggests that this is a much older story. 

Read More: Check out The Banshee Curse Haunting Duckett’s Grove to read more about ghosts called Banshee.

People claiming to have seen her, have approached her, unsuspecting of her supernatural presence. Until asked a question, the Badlands Banshee is said to have simply silently observed the people passing through her domain. But when they talk to her, she will unleash her terrifying scream. Her terrifying shrieks differ from the wolves and prairie dogs of the desert pierce through the Badlands’ silence, echoing into the depths of the night. 

Stories says the Badlands Banshee looks beautiful from afar, bathing in a ghostly blue light, but when she starts to scream, her eyes blacken into a dark void and opens her jaw unnaturally wide when she screams. According to others though, she looks weathered and gestures to people passing through the Badlands as if she needs help or want to speak with them. 

Bison grassing in the Dakota Badlands Prairie

Haunting the Watch Dog Butte

According to reports, her haunting is particularly often around Dog Butte or Watch Dog as it’s called and that it was here that the woman behind the ghost died all those years ago, one of the sandstone cliffs defining the landscape in the Badlands.

How did the Badlands Banshee die though? Was she pushed from one of the buttes as some of the versions of the legends suggest?

It is also said that the Badlands Banshee had a lover who died with her, and that is the reason why she screams, like her name and legend claims. 

According to legend, cattle refuse to graze near the butte, as they have sensed with a sort of sixth sense never to go near her domain. Also the cowboys herding the flocks reportedly also avoid the place as it is thought to be haunted by the Badlands Banshee.

Skeleton Companion Playing the Music

But what about the music that the tale of the three cowboys encountering her? To further amplify the terror, the Badlands Banshee is said to occasionally bring a spectral companion—a ghastly skeleton that revels in the eerie tunes of music around the campfire. 

According to the story, the skeleton companion searches for music and if he hears it, he will sit down and listen to it, and it is even said that the skeleton will play a violin if he sees it and plays it all night. 

It is said if you hear the music grow fainter as the day starts to light up the sky, never follow the sound! Apparently, the skeleton will only lead you astray to rocky pitfalls you will never escape from, like what happened to the one cowboy. Much like what is said happened to the Badlands Banshee herself. 

The Haunting of the Badlands Banshee

Today the Badland National Park where the legend of the Badlands Banshee has spread is managed with the National Park Service as well as the Oglala Lakota tribe in the south of the park. 

So what is the Badlands Banshee? a ghost or a monster? Who was she when alive? Is this from old native american folklore, or a story the Irish settlers brought with them from Europe to explain the piercing shrieks coming from an unknown animal across the prairie?

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References:

12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide 

Banshee Of The Bad Lands – Legends of America 

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The Banshee Curse Haunting Duckett’s Grove

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After a young girl lost her life on the estate of Duckett’s Grove, her grieving mother cast a curse on the Duckett family. Now, the Banshee haunting the place can be heard shrieking in the dark, warning about tragedy and death for those that hear her. 

Towering the serene Irish countryside in County Carlow, Duckett’s Grove stands as a hauntingly beautiful testament to the grand mansion that stood there, although now there are only ruins left to tell it. 

However, beneath its grand façade of Duckett’s Grove lies a tale steeped in mystery and supernatural intrigue with a touch of old Irish folklore. Often touted as one of Ireland’s most haunted places, Duckett’s Grove continues to draw visitors seeking both historical insight and a brush with the paranormal. 

Duckett’s Grove History

Duckett’s Grove, or Garrán Duckett in Irish, was originally constructed in the early 19th century by the Duckett family, prominent landowners in County Carlow. The family’s grand vision was brought to life by the architect Thomas A. Cobden, resulting in a Gothic Revival masterpiece. With its imposing turrets, intricate stonework, and enchanting gardens, the mansion quickly became a symbol of wealth and prestige.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

The estate of Duckett’s Grove fell out from the Duckett family when the last Duckett living there disinherited her daughter she wasn’t on speaking terms with. It was managed by agents, local farmers and the Land Commission after this. During the War of Independence from 1919 to 1921 it was used by the local IRA.  

Duckett’s Grove: The 19th-century great house and estate in County Carlow, Ireland. Once owned by the Duckett family, it was the centerpiece of a vast 12,000-acre estate and was prominent in the local landscape for over 200 years. Unfortunately, the interior of the house was ravaged by a significant fire in the 1930s, rendering it inaccessible. Today, the gardens, which include two interconnected walled gardens, are under the management of Carlow County Council and open to the public as a park.

One night, on 20th of April in 1933, Duckett’s Grove was destroyed by a fire. The cause of the fire was not determined, but locals reported about several fires that happened a week before, and they started to speculate what really happened that night. 

Most of the well preserved interior is now lost and the skeleton of the house was used as a riding school until 2004. After the county took over, they refurbished the gardens and reopened it to the public in 2007 were people could come and enjoy the decaying romanticism of the abandoned estate. 

The Irish Piseóg

The true allure of Duckett’s Grove, however, lies in its reputation as a paranormal hotspot and the supposed curse that looms over the grounds. Numerous reports of ghostly apparitions and eerie phenomena have shrouded the mansion in a mystique that continues to haunt visitors to this day.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

There is a story that tells of a secret lover of William Duckett who died after she fell from her horse as she was riding on the estate. Not much details are given, but something more mystical have happened because of what happened next. The girl’s mother was devastated and angry with the Duckett family and put a curse, or a Piseóg, on the family. 

Piseóg is the Irish term for the supernatural and also includes spells, charms and curses. This particular Piseóg resulted in a Banshee haunting the place from then on.  

The Curse of the Banshee

The Banshee is an Irish entity from folklore that takes the form of a female wailing spirit. It is said that if you hear a banshee cry you will soon suffer the death of a beloved. 

According to lore she has long streaming hair and wears a gray cloak over a green dress, and her eyes are red from continual weeping. There are also those claiming the Banshee is dressed in white with red hair and a ghastly complexion.

The Banshee: People have depicted the Banshee as many things, everything from a beautiful fairy like woman to a monster. Here from the book Bunworth Banshee, Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland by Thomas Crofton Croker, 1825

It is said you can hear the shrieks of the Banshee over Duckett’s Grove for two days and nights and those that hear it will soon experience suffering and tragedy. 

There are many reports about people being affected by The Banshee. Once a garden worker of Duckett’s Grove saw the figure of a woman drop dead in the garden and heard the shriek of a banshee. The next morning he found his mother dead. Another time it was a woman passing the estate that claimed to have heard her cries. In a matter of days, the woman died. 

The spirit of the young mistress and the tale of the curse of the banshee keep coming up from time to time, especially after the terrible fire that burnt the estate to the ground without a good reason, almost like the place itself was cursed. 

The Paranormal Enigma

The Banshee is not the only ghost said to roam on the large estate. Duckett family members like William Duckett are also said to be one of the ghosts lurking in the shadows or riding his horse over the fields of Duckett’s Grove. 

William Duckett was the one that in 1830 transformed the modest two storey house to the mansion it became. After the destructive fire it drove him from his eternal slumber, angry at the ruins of his life work. 

There are also talks about strange lights coming from the ruins of Duckett’s Grove as well as unexplained noises, the sound of cutlery and servants coming from the ruins as well as a demonic dog with red eyes terrorizing the area. 

The Irish Ghosts Haunting the Estate

Its picturesque ruins and gardens serve as a testament to Ireland’s architectural heritage, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who once called Duckett’s Grove home. Each stone wall and crumbling archway holds the echoes of centuries past, whispering secrets that have long been forgotten.

As visitors stroll through the enchanting gardens, they may catch a glimpse of the spirits that are said to still wander the grounds. Legends tell of ghostly apparitions, mysterious sounds, and strange occurrences that defy explanation. From the Lady in White, who is said to grace the gardens with her ethereal presence, to the restless spirits of long-departed inhabitants, the paranormal tales of Duckett’s Grove continue to captivate the imagination of all who venture within its borders.

Whether you are drawn to the ghostly tales that shroud Duckett’s Grove or simply wish to immerse yourself in its timeless beauty, a visit to this enigmatic place promises an unforgettable experience. Prepare to be transported back in time, where history and the supernatural intertwine, and the allure of Ireland’s past comes alive before your eyes.

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References:

5 ghost stories from Ireland’s Ancient East 

About DuckettsGrove.ie

Ghostly Guide – Duckett Grove, Co. Carlow 

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Haunted Spirits at The Banshee Labyrinth Pub

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The metal bar called the Banshee Labyrinth is located in parts of the haunted underground vaults of Edinburgh. And today the place has some haunted stories to tell as well. Everything from ghost children, accused witches, irish folklore creatures and an annoying ghost in the ladies toilet, this pub houses them all.

What can be a more haunted place than a rock and metal bar located in the haunted old town of Edinburgh? Today it is a family run pub that promises a good drink and music all week.

The Banshee Labyrinth bar is located on Niddry Street it is close to the Royal Mile as well as the haunted underground of Edinburgh.

They are also catering to the more macabre with movie nights mostly showing horror movies. But are we to believe legends about this pub you can also expect a couple of ghostly guests as well. 

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The Haunted Underground Vaults

It is located near The South Bridge Vaults where several businesses, workplace and taverns were located. However, it was built on a low budget and never waterproofed. The place eventually flooded and only the poorest people stayed there, making cheap brothels and pubs flourish instead and crime and murders were not uncommon. 

It was allegedly also here the infamous serial killers Burke and Hare haunted victims to sell to the medical schools. The underground vaults have become notorious as a haunted place. 

The Wailing Banshee

Part of The Banshee Labyrinth is in one of these vaults and the name the pub has comes from the legend of a banshee haunting the place. Banshee are female spirits and creatures that are an omen of death with their terrifying screams. 

The Banshee: It is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member

Once when the pub was having some restoration work done, the workmen experienced something strange. The story is that a group of workmen heard this wailing scream of death and right after. According to some sources he also saw a woman in a gray dress who cried into her hands before lifting her head to show off her pale face with rotted teeth and no eyes. 

After this they were terrified, but it didn’t stop there. Right after the incident, one of the workers got a call about the death of one of their family members just moments later. 

There is also Molly, a six year old girl that are said to haunt the place. She is named Molly after they found a child shoe with the name written on it in one of the old bricked-up chimneys. She apparently disappeared in 1814 according to some sources. 

People also report on the ghost they have named Ole Jock, who is said to haunt the ladies toilet. He keeps slamming the doors and is even said to be the one turning the hand driers on and off. 

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The Witch Hunter

Since its heyday as a part of the criminal hotspot of the city, the people who once walked the vaults are said to have been of the more unsavory characters, and perhaps the ghosts can be seen as the same. 

Witches: More than 3000 Scottish people who were accused of witchcraft between the 16th and 17th century. Many of them were burned at the stake in Edinburgh.

One of the neighbors of the building of The Banshee Labyrinth for instance once upon the time belonged to a man named Lord Nicol Edwards. He was a lord Provost and known to be a cruel man, especially to his wife. He is also said to have had a personal dungeon under his house he used to torture accused witches before their trial. 

Many pub goers to The Banshee Labyrinth have claimed to have spotted one of these tortured women, and the story of the banshee is often linked together with these women. 

There are also stories about inside the pub with some strange things happening. Classical haunted pub things like drinks flying off the tables and crashing in the walls. So bottoms up, The Banshee Labyrinth have spirits for all, both the drinkable and haunted type. 

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References

The Most Haunted Places in Edinburgh’s Old Town – Dickins

The Banshee Labyrinth

Scotland’s ‘most haunted pub’ that’s home to a terrifying wailing banshee – Edinburgh Live

The ‘most haunted pub in Scotland’ where 16th-century tyrant tortured ‘witches’ – Daily Record