Sir, – Further to Dean Ruxton's article "Ireland's banshee: A delusion of peasants or a spirit with a mournful wail?" (Offbeat, May 5th), I had solved this enigma, at least to my own satisfaction, many years ago.
An acquaintance of mine, of the “strong farmer” sub-class, informed me that when his uncle died, the banshee was seen sitting and wailing on his gate. His poorly concealed satisfaction at this turn of events prompted the words of a certain well-known English gentleman to spring to mind: “When beggars die there are no comets seen. The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes!”
I would contend that, in a world bereft of knighthoods, baronies, or even a humble OBE, the preference of the banshee for certain bloodlines constituted a mark of social exclusivity to those who considered themselves a “cut above buttermilk”. – Yours, etc,
PJ MALONEY,
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Cloneyheigue,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – How can people doubt the existence of banshees? Have they never been to a fleadh? – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.