Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Exhibitionist figure
Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Clonmacnoise
- County
- Offaly
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.32849, -7.97820
- SMR number
- OF005-029005-
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
Located on voussoir in outer order on N side of chancel arch in Nuns' Chapel (OF005-029001-). Small figure cut in a lozenge; pear-shaped face with grinning mouth; without body, arms or hands; biggish, oval slit of a vulva revealed by upturned legs embracing head (Freitag 2004, 129). Described by Cherry as an exhibitionist figure that has been mistakenly identified as a sheela-na-gig (Cherry 1992, 10).
See attached screenshots of 3D model of carved figure created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model of figure and chancel arch can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6szLC
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien.
Date of upload/revision: 5 June 2012
References
Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Buildingunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ritual site - holy wellunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.