Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Lusk, County Dublin, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Lusk
- County
- Dublin
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.52610, -6.16719
- SMR number
- DU008-010008-
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 1799 "Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Unlocated possible sheela-na-gig located inside Lusk Church (DU008-010004-) where it was recorded and described by antiquarian Austin Cooper in 1783 as following; ‘the human features fancifully hideous; the face being seven inches broad, and the head without neck or body, being attached to a pair of kneeling thighs and legs’ (Anon 1914, 253; Guest 1936, 111). This figure was locally known as ‘The Idol’ (Clibborn 1844, 575). According to Guest this figure had been buried 1844 by the Rev. Mr Tyrrell. This event appears to have occurred at least a year earlier in 1843 if not earlier (Freitag 2004, 111). Its current location is unknown.
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 28 May 2012
References
Anon. 1914 Proceedings. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 4, 217-94.
Clibborn, E. 1844 On an ancient stone image presented to the Academy by Charles Halpin, M.D. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 2, 565-76.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
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
- Tomb - effigial (present location)under 1 mi
- Stone headunder 1 mi
- Round towerunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.