Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Castlewidenham, County Cork, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Castlewidenham
- County
- Cork
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 52.17011, -8.46381
- SMR number
- CO026-086002-
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 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Originally noted by Ordnance Survey (Guest 1936, 116), as lying beside holy well (13958); recovered from bed of Awbeg River in 1934 where it had lain for a number of years, and placed near tower of Castle (14353) (ibid.). Figure has oval head with obliterated facial features; unusual head-dress of two divided triangular pieces falling as far as the shoulders. Neck is small and not clearly indicated, torso is lean with no evidence of breasts or ribs. Legs are widely splayed, knees bent. Right hand points to genital area, left hand rests on left thigh. (Cherry 1993, 109) Access to castle denied by landowner.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/
References
Cherry, S. 1993 Sheela-na-gigs from county Cork. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 98, 107-12.
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
- Ritual site - holy wellunder 1 mi
- Mill - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
- Caveunder 1 mi
- Promontory fort - inlandunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.