Sheela-na-gig

The National Monuments Service's description

Sheela-na-gig visible in external face of E wall of Dunnaman Castle (LI030-012----) located off centre to S at second floor level. The carving was first recorded in 1865 when described as following; 'Inserted in the wall near one of these windows is an example of that class of sculptured stones, so strange in their character, representing the female figure in the most repulsive way. In the woodcut of the eastern front of the tower (vide next page), the position of the figure just noticed, and the two windows are shewn’ (Dunraven 1865, 198-201).
The position of the sheela-na-gig was recorded in 2001 as being located halfway up the external face of E wall of tower house (LI030-012----) (McMahon and Roberts 2001, 129). Described by Freitag as a ‘large figure on slab and set within frame. Roundish head shows several billowy lines across forehead, oval eyes, wedge nose and open mouth. Extremely long arms, with open armpits, and hands passing beneath thighs to grab vulva. Flat breasts on heavily incised ribcase which extends over abdomen. Oval-shaped vulva, hanging between widely splayed legs. Large toes touching edge of frame, and between these, directly underneath vulva, there is an egg-shaped object’ (Freitag 2004, 131-2).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 04 March 2019

References

Dunraven, the Countess of 1865 Memorials of Adare manor. With historical notices of Adare, by the earl of Dunraven E.R.W. WyndhamQuin.

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.

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