Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Exhibitionist figure
Kilkea Demesne, County Kildare, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Kilkea Demesne
- County
- Kildare
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 52.94283, -6.88569
- SMR number
- KD037-017025-
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 LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 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
Described in the Urban Survey (Bradley et. al. 1986, 286) as a ‘Mermaid stone. 16th – 17th cent. Lying on the ground at the W end of the nave is a limestone panel decorated in relief with a mermaid. She has two long strands of hair, one of which she holds in her right hand, pendulous breasts, and her left hand holds a comb/mirror. The lower part of her body is shaped like a fish and a snake-like creature is biting her tail’ (Fitzgerald 1899-1902, 241).
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/6sWrT
Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien
Date of upload: 14 September 2016
References
Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1986 Urban Archaeological Survey - County Kildare (4 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.
Nearby in the register
- Memorial stoneunder 1 mi
- Armorial plaqueunder 1 mi
- Stone sculptureunder 1 mi
- Chapelunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.