Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Clomantagh Lower, County Kilkenny, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Clomantagh Lower
- County
- Kilkenny
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 52.72536, -7.48536
- SMR number
- KK013-002003-
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 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
Horizontal Sheela-na-gig located on the S face of a quoin on the SW corner of Clomantagh Castle (KK013-002001-), just below fourth-floor level. Described by Freitag as a, ‘large figure set within recessed frame. Head rests on long, thin neck; flat, droopy breasts, and wavy lines across upper torso indicating ribs. Left arm in front of body with hand touching square cavity indicating vulva; right arm bent at elbow with lower arm raised up towards side of head. Deep groove extending from raised arm to head may indicate hand or band. A somewhat thicker band is depicted on left side of head and disappearing behind arm (similar to Freshford). Legs widely splayed; knees bent at right angle with feet turning outwards. An elongated object is placed on pudenda’ (Freitag 2004, 128-9).
See attached photographs:
KK013-002003-_01 Upper storeys of S face of tower house with arrow showing Sheela-na-gig
KK013-002003-_02 Arrow showing Sheela-na-gig
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 6 June 2012
References
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
- Wellunder 1 mi
- Bawnunder 1 mi
- Earthworkunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.