Exhibitionist figure (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument No. 81. In store room adjoining cathedral (OF005-004001-). According to Guest this figure originally came from Burgesbeg church (TN028-035001-) (Guest 1939, 48; McMahon and Roberts 2001, 119). Carved in relief on one face of octagonal stone (dims. H 0.25m x Wth 0.21m), all other sides smooth and without decoration. Huge earless head with bulbous eyes and a biggish chin. Angular shoulder; clearly incised ribs, no breasts. Left hand resting on thigh, right arm raised with hand held to side of face. Deep hole indicating vulva with clitoris (?) at upper end. Legs slightly apart and bent with both feet facing the same way (Freitag 2004, 129-30). According to Weir there was 'a small protuberance, like an uvula [which is described as a 'hesitant penis'] immediately below what is a small deep hole which most likely represents the anus'(McMahon and Roberts 2001,119). This figure has been described by Cherry as an exhibitionist figure that has been mistakenly identified as a sheela-na-gig (Cherry 1992, 10). Cross-referenced with TN025-038004-.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 02 July 2012

References

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.

Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.

Guest, E.M. 1939 A sheela-na-gig at Clonmacnoise. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 69, 48.