Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Ballinderry (clare By.), County Galway, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballinderry (clare By.)
- County
- Galway
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.46336, -8.83532
- SMR number
- GA043-004003-
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 1753 "Mappa geographica Regni Hiberniae" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
This sheela-na-gig is carved into the keystone of the arch over the doorway of 'Ballinderry Castle' (GA043-004001-). The large head displays ovoid eyes, a wedge nose, slit mouth and prominent ears. Braided hair, of two distinct styles, extends from each side of the head across the top of the stone, that to the left is in the classic plait style while that to the right is more of an interlace style. Small breasts are tucked under the arms, which curve around the body and both hands rest below the belly button in the genital area. The two legs and damaged feet are wide apart. Decorative motifs visible on each side of the figure include a marigold and knot on the left side and a rose, bird and triskele-like circle on the right side. (Nolan 1901, 36; Costello 1936, 312-3; Freitag 2004, 123)
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/6qPyP
Compiled by: Olive Alcock
Date of upload: 8 November 2022
References
Costello, T.B. 1936 Miscellanea: a Co. Galway Sheela-na-Gig. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 312-13.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nolan, J.P. 1901b The castles of Clare barony. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 1, 11-48.
Nearby in the register
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
- Bawnunder 1 mi
- Earthworkunder 1 mi
- Buildingunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.