Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Malahide Demesne, County Dublin, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Malahide Demesne
- County
- Dublin
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Church (in ruins)
- Coordinates
- 53.44492, -6.16338
- SMR number
- DU012-031002-
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
A sheela na-gig is built into quoin at the NE angle of the chancel of the medieval Church (DU012-031001-) (Hartnett 1954, 179). According to Freitag this sheela-na-gig is not in its original location as the lower part of the quoin has been cut off to fit the stone into its current position (Freitag 2004, 137). Described by Freitag as a ‘figure carved in false relief on red sandstone and set within frame. Big, earless head, flat face with downcast eyes, drooping gash of a mouth; short neck; squat body. No ribs or breasts, but navel clearly indicated. Only left arm discernible, held straight with hand resting on thigh. Long vertical slit-vulva hanging between straight legs. No feet, presumably cut off together with lower edge’ (Freitag 2004, 138).
Lichen growth is beginning to obscure the sheela-na-gig and although not as weathered as that on the eastern gable (DU012-031001-) the description above is difficult to discern.
See attached screenshots of 3D model of Sheela-na-gig created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6vH9r
Compiled and revised by: Geraldine Stout and Caimin O'Brien
Updated by: Christine Baker
Date of revised upload: 1 February 2018
References
Hartnett, P.J. 1954a Malahide "Abbey", Co. Dublin. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 84, 179, 181.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Sheela-na-gigunder 1 mi
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Tomb - effigialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.