Sheela-na-gig

The National Monuments Service's description

Found at site of Cistercian abbey of Tracton (CO099-04303-) and now in Cork Public Museum (CO074-169----). Sandstone block '141/2in in height, 12in in width and 8in in thickness' with curved section cut from lower left hand corner, which formed 'the side of a doorway or window, probably the latter' (O Ríordáin 1944, 56). Standing female figure, draped in cloak, carved on surface; triangular shaped face; hands hanging at sides of body; legs splayed exposing genital area described by Andersen (1977, 152) as 'very open and quaintly carved'. O Ríordáin (ibid, 57) noted 'the suggestion of a sword' on the figure and states that this (and the cloak) 'takes considerably from its hitherto accepted Sheela-na-Gig character'. No. 61 is Cherry (1992, 6) catalogue.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of revision: 16 December 2009
Revised by: Mary Tunney

References

Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.

Andersen, J. 1977 The Witch on the wall: medieval erotic sculpture in the British Isles. London. Allen and Unwin Ltd.