Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Glebe (muskerry West By., Ballyvourney Par.), County Cork, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Glebe (muskerry West By., Ballyvourney Par.)
- County
- Cork
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 51.93817, -9.16670
- SMR number
- CO058-034008-
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
In S wall of nave at Ballyvourney church (CO058-034007-); lintel, forming head of window light, has carving on outside face. The figure (c. 0.3m x 0.2m) cut in false relief immediately above chamfer of window light; figure portrayed with torso, head and arms. The hands may be crossed at the navel rather than pointed downwards as suggested by Andersen (1977, 145). Guest (1936, 110) described it as 'female figure....cut into an ovoid depression'; she considered that it showed 'no definite features of a sheela-na-gig except the pose of the arms'. No. 38 in Cherry's catalogue (1992, 6).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/
References
Andersen, J. 1977 The Witch on the wall: medieval erotic sculpture in the British Isles. London. Allen and Unwin Ltd.
Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.
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
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Bullaun stoneunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.