Banshee

a female spirit, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld.The banshee can appear in a variety of guises. Most often she appears as an ugly, frightening hag, but can also appear as a stunningly beautiful woman of any age that suits her. The hag may also appear as a washer-woman, or bean-nighe, and is seen washing the blood stained clothes or armour of those who are about to die.Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. she is referred to as the bean chaointe (keening woman) whose wail can be so piercing that it shatters glass. The banshee may also appear in a variety of other forms, such as that of a Hooded Crow, stoat, hare and weasel.