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Shiniwcw

Clambering up to Eglwysilan from Nantgarw, the fording place of the stag, is a lane called Heol-y-Bwnsi, or otherwise, the “Banshee Road”.

The road goes by this name because it was the haunt of a spirit similar to the banshee of the Emerald Isle; a prophetess of doom with face pale as pewter, midnight-black hair and cobweb eyes red from timeless tears. The locals lived in jitters of the spirit, whom they called the Shiniwcw, and gave the Bwnsi-road a wide berth after dark.

But, when night donned her blackest gown, the Shiniwcw would appear to unsuspecting travellers. Along the dark road her pale face glowed like a beacon causing the hapless wayfarer to lose his bearings, rambling and roving until he reached Mynydd Melo mountain top. Here the Shiniwcw would leave her victim to fend for himself until dawn’s candle signposted his path to safety.

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