The Banshee

Reel, G, Irish, attributed to James McMahon (1893-1977)
Also known as: McMahon’s Reel; McMahon’s #3; McMahon’s Favorite
TrailJams Tune of the Week for July 15, 2021; May 26, 2024

The Banshee is a jaunty and popular Irish reel. The tune is attributed to James McMahon (1893-1977) of County Fermanagh and Belfast. Contrary to its name, the tune is pleasing to the ear and has put many dancing feet in motion. (In Irish lore, a Banshee is a female fairy who heralds a person’s death by her shrieking or keening.)

The tune is variously known as McMahon’s Reel, McMahon’s #3, and McMahon’s Favorite. James McMahon’s granddaughter, Rose, recounts: “James McMahon was a flute player and composer from Cornacreeve, Dresternian, Roslea, Co. Fermanagh, but lived out his days in Belfast. He was known for playing an ivory flute, and his compositions include The Ivory Flute, Laura’s Delight, McMahon’s Reel, [and] The Banshee. [He] played in the early version of the McPeake Ceili Band.” (Quotation from the James McMahon Facebook page, by Rose McMahon.)

Recordings

• Video – The Bothy Band: The Salamanca / The Banshee / The Sailor’s Bonnet – from the album 1975. (The Banshee begins at time 1:38 in this recording.)
• Video – Comhaltas: Banshee – session recording. From the album Foinn Seisiún Volume 1
• Video – Shane Farrell: The Banshee Reel – solo on tenor banjo

Sheet Music

As always for traditional tunes, the musical notation and chords do not indicate the “right” way to play the tune, but are a useful reference.

Suggested Sets

Examples of sets that include this tune.

• Salamanca Reel Set: The Salamanca (D) / The Banshee (G) / The Sailor’s Bonnet (D)
• Banshee Reel Set: The Banshee (G) / Cooley’s (E Dorian) / Maid behind the Bar (D)

Other Resources

For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.

• More Recordings
  • Audio – Stephen Ducke: The Banshee (Reel) – played on tin whistle. From the book Irish Music – 400 Traditional Tunes
  • Video – Mikela Rayburn: The Banshee reel – slow slower medium fast – fiddle solo, demonstrating the tune for learners
• Books
  • Book – The Portland Collection, Volume 1 – Contra Dance Music in the Pacific Northwest. By Susan Songer with Clyde Curley.
  • Book & Audio – Complete Irish Fiddle Player, by Peter Cooper (Mel Bay Publications)
  • Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 1 Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
  • Book & Audio – Stephen Ducke: Irish Music – 400 Traditional Tunes
• Lessons
  • Lesson – Sean Cunningham (whistletutor): The Banshee (Reel) Tin Whistle Lesson – video lesson with part-by-part breakdown and suggestions for ornamentation. (Tabs and sheet music on Patreon / whistletutor.)
  • Lesson – Kevin Burke (Fiddlevideo): The Banshee – fiddle lesson with video and sheet music. (Excerpt of video lesson is free. Full lesson requires subscription to Fiddlevideo.)
• Additional Resources
  • James McMahon Facebook Page, created by Rose McMahon (James’ granddaughter)
  • Webpage – The Session: The Banshee (Reel) – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and more