Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Rath, County Clare, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Rath
- County
- Clare
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 52.91743, -9.08545
- SMR number
- CL025-084004-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1753 "Mappa geographica Regni Hiberniae" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
This carving is on a highly decorated window sill, now placed upside down over a window recess in the S wall of the nave of Rath church (CL025-084001-). The sill is decorated with foliage emanating from the mouth of an animal at the centre. The sheela-na-gig is in the same plastic style, dated to c. 1200 (Harbison 2000, 27), and is in a separate panel beside the interlace. The figure is small (H c. 0.2m), and the waist area is damaged, but the breasts are visible. The hands are entwined with stylized animals, and the legs are flexed. (Guest 1936, 112, No. 20; Andersen 1977, 151, No. 103).
Compiled by: Michael Moore
Date of upload: 6 June, 2012
References
Andersen, J. 1977 The Witch on the wall: medieval erotic sculpture in the British Isles. London. Allen and Unwin Ltd.
Harbison, P. 2000 The church of Rath Blathmach - a photo-essay. The Other Clare, vol. 24, 23-32.
Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.
Nearby in the register
- Stone sculptureunder 1 mi
- Graveslabunder 1 mi
- Graveslabunder 1 mi
- Memorial stoneunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.