Cross

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross is located in a level area, which has been heavily landscape due to its location within Stepaside Golf Course. The cross stands in a disused laneway and marks the position of a holy well associated with St. James (DU026-004003-). This is a low stunted, granite cross with slightly projecting arms (dims. H 1.22m, Wth 0.61m). The SW face of the cross depicts a sheela-na-gig type figure, possibly seated with head sunk on it's shoulders (Guest 1936, 116, 123). This carving is listed by the National Museum of Ireland, as an exhibitionist figure that has been mistakenly identified as a sheela-na-gig (Cherry 1992, 10). The figure has been recorded by McMahon and Roberts as a sheela-na-gig (McMahon and Roberts 2001, 149). Described by Freitag as a ‘sheela carved in high relief on E face. Heavy round figure, with head set low between shoulders and slightly towards left; no ears; facial features and navel indicated. Arms in front of body; hands joined over pudenda represented, or covered by worn square object’ (Freitag 2004, 142). There is a circular moulding in high relief on the NE face.

See attached screenshots of 3D model of Kilgobbin Cross created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6w6yT

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien and Geraldine Stout

Date of revised upload: 1 February 2018

References

McMahon, J. and Roberts, J. 2001 The sheela-na-gigs of Ireland and Britain: the divine hag of the Christian celts - an illustrated guide. Cork. Mercier Press.

Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.

Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.

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