Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Lehinch Demesne, County Mayo, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Lehinch Demesne
- County
- Mayo
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.67340, -9.10540
- SMR number
- MA111-110----
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 record refers to a sheela-na-gig which, according to local information, was found at roughly this location amongst old farm buildings, now levelled. In 1993 it was moved to its present location (MA110-087----) in Hollymount Village. Its exact provenance remains uncertain. Sheela-na-gigs are commonly associated with castles or churches. The Strafford Inquisition of Co. Mayo lists '…the moiety of the castle town and lands of Lehinch…' (O' Sullivan 1954, 70). However, the exact location of this castle (MA111-072001-) and deserted settlement (MA111-072002-) are unknown. A castle (MA111-018----), shown on the 1837 OS 6-inch map as ‘Castle (ruin)’ and on the 1930 edition as ‘Castle (site of)’, is located in Knockalegan townland which borders the E side of Lehinch Demesne. A castle in Lehinch Demesne or the castle in Knockalegan is a likely provenance for the carving.
Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy
Date of upload: 6 April 2015
Nearby in the register
- Moundunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Burnt moundunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.