Sheela-na-gig

The National Monuments Service's description

Discovered by local workmen in 1932 in the NE corner of Burgesbeg church (TN025-038001) and now housed in the National Museum (Cherry 1992, 6). Described by Raftery (1969, 92-3) as a roughly dressed rectangular block (H 0.7m; Wth 0.35m; T 0.33m) with a naked female figure carved in high relief (L 0.62m) on one face. The figure consists of a well-carved round head with round eyes, unclear mouth with bent arms pulling the vulva apart and knees slightly bent with toes pointing downwards. The breasts are barely indicated.
Described by Freitag as a 'figure carved in relief on block of sandstone; partly dressed to an approximately rectangular shape. Shape would suggest that figure was once built into the structure and formed part of arch of door or window. Round head with sharp chin; eyes clearly cut circles, but nose and mouth ill-defined; narrow neck. Breasts barely indicated. Arms flexed and hands grasping deeply hollowed out pudenda between widely separated thighs; prominent touchhole or anus below genitals. Knees bent; feet pointing downwards' (Freitag 2004, 126).

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). 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

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.

Raftery, J. 1969 A sheela-na-gig from Burgesbeg, Co. Tipperary. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 12, 92-3.