Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Ballynacarriga (carbery East (eastern Div.) By.), County Cork, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballynacarriga (carbery East (eastern Div.) By.)
- County
- Cork
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 51.70547, -9.03110
- SMR number
- CO108-051005-
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
Ballynacarriga Castle is a four storey tower house (CO108-051003-) on rocky eminence with good view in all directions; overlooking Ballynacarriga Lough to SW. Sheela-na-gig (dims. H 0.45m) situated above entrance into tower house, on outer E face of wall at 1st-floor level. Described by Freitag as a ‘standing figure with splayed legs and feet turned outwards; upper part of body depicted disproportionally large. Big head with huge droopy ears and asymmetrical eyes accentuated by different shape and size. Long, slightly bent arms reach down to grasp vulva from behind splayed thighs’ (Freitag 2004, 124). Tower may be a century older than 1585 when upper storeys probably modified. National Monument no. 425.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien
Date of upload: 22 May 2012
References
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Bawnunder 1 mi
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
- Mill - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
- Children's burial groundunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.