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Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland

Sheela-na-gig (present location)

Quartertown Lower, County Cork, Ireland

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915) covering the location of Sheela-na-gig (present location), Quartertown Lower, County Cork, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Townland
Quartertown Lower
County
Cork
Country
Ireland
Coordinates
52.12527, -8.66372
SMR number
CO033-143----

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1790 map "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1790 · Composite: Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1882 · Ireland (southern half). (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1883 · Ireland 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1904 · Sheet 13. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗

The National Monuments Service's description

Discovered during archaeological excavation (1982-84) at Glanworth Castle (14328) 'in one of the two vaulted ground floor chambers in the north side of the original rectangular gate tower' (Manning 1987, 278) (See CO027-042004-). Figure carved on one entire face of roughly trapezoidal stone (H 0.52m; Wth at base 0.35m; Wth at top 0.21m; D 0.44m). Figure depicted in a position of display with legs flexed and widely splayed and hands grasping vulva, left arm lying across torso while right arm passes beneath thigh; uncommon feature is anus which is shown distinctly at base of stone (ibid., 280). Figure has large head, hunched shoulders, breasts and ribs are clearly indicated. Probably originally prominently displayed on wall of castle, where it served 'an apotropaic function' (ibid., 281). Now in National Monuments and Historic Properties Service depot, Mallow.

Compiled by: Archaeological Survey Unit, UCC

Date of upload: 05 June 2012

References

Manning, C. 1987 A sheela-na-gig from Glanworth castle, Co. Cork. In E. Rynne (ed.), Figures from the past, 278-82. Dun Laoghaire. Glendale Press.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Sites and Monuments Record data: National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Record text is reproduced unchanged. National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland · CC BY 4.0
All Sheela-na-gig (present location) in Cork All County Cork records All Ireland Heritage registers Historical markers (US)National Register of Historic Places (US)
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