Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Esker, County Offaly, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Esker
- County
- Offaly
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.33546, -7.82192
- SMR number
- OF006-031002-
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
Horizontal figure carved onto E face of quoin on SE angle of Esker or Doon Castle (OF006-031001-) at first floor level (Guest 1936, 118). Described by Freitag as a figure (H 0.23m; Wth 0.38m) consisting of a ‘huge round head with ears; bulbous eyes, wedge nose and open mouth. Round shoulders, small round breasts, lines indicating ribs running across chest; at junction of legs strongly incised oval vulva. Right hand passing behind thigh while left hand passes over thigh, extremely long fingers on both hands. Legs almost straight with both feet pointing in same direction’ (Freitag 2004, 131).
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: 05 June 2012
References
Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
- Bawnunder 1 mi
- Earthworkunder 1 mi
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.