Gwrach y Rhibyn: The Terrifying Welsh Banshee of Pennard Castle

I love Pennard Castle – and the spooky stories associated with it – and was very happy when the Paranormal Unpacked team decided to go and film our latest episode there.

I also took the opportunity to film a little behind the scenes video focusing on one of my favourite figures from Welsh folklore, the dreaded Gwrach y Rhibyn – the so-called Welsh banshee – who is said to attack anyone fooling enough to spend the night there.

One such foolish mortal was a man from Carmarthen and, well, it didn’t end well, as explained in the video.

Along with the usual team of Steve Balsamo, Ant Jones and myself, we were once again joined by historian extraordinaire Gwilym Games, and Gregg Stockdale who was lucky enough to grow up in the area and very kindly told me of his own ghostly experiences when I was researching my book Paranormal Swansea and Gower.

While it would be lovely if you picked up a copy of that book (shameless plug – all my books are available from all good bookshops, offline and on, check the books page for full details!), you can hear the stories for free when that episode of Paranormal Unpacked is published late July/ early August.

Gregg’s stories concern a very strange Halloween night at the castle perched above the sands of Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, when – among those ruined medieval walls – shadow figures and all manner of strange activity were experienced.

Who/ what is the Gwrach y Rhibyn?

Often described as the “Welsh banshee”, the Gwrach y Rhibyn is a terrifying figure from Welsh folklore. Her name is usually translated as the “hag of the mist” or “witch of the night”, and she is traditionally portrayed as an old, fearsome woman with wild hair, claws and talons.

Like the Irish banshee, her appearance or cries were believed to be a warning of death. However, the Gwrach y Rhibyn is a distinctly Welsh figure, rooted in the folklore traditions of Wales rather than simply being a Welsh version of the Irish banshee.

In traditional stories, hearing her terrible shriek was not something to be welcomed – it was an omen that someone nearby was about to die.

Where can I watch these videos?

My cheap and cheerful behind-the-scenes look can be watched from this very page – just click play on the video above or, if you’d prefer to watch on the Mark Rees YouTube channel, click on the pic with the mugshot below.

Until next time… nos da!