Exhibitionist figure

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument in state ownership no. 114. Round tower (LA018-031005-) entered through a Romanesque doorway with four orders of sandstone blocks at first floor level in the E face. The internal arch of the doorway is decorated with lozenge patterns or chevrons while the doorway is decorated with typical Romanesque features such as human faces on the angles of the capitals. At the base of the doorway on the N side on the third order there appears to be a possible male exhibitionist figure in an acrobatic position with legs bent behind the ears and the hands appear to be pulling the cheeks apart to reveal the anus. The figure has a bearded face with hands beneath the chin either pulling at his beard or pulling the cheeks of his backside apart to reveal his anus.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Images of possible exhibitionist figure uploaded courtesy of Neil Jackman.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 28 October 2015