Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Ballynahinch (ballygriffin Par.), County Tipperary South, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballynahinch (ballygriffin Par.)
- County
- Tipperary South
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 52.51901, -7.94808
- SMR number
- TS060-059003-
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
On the external E face of Ballynahinch tower house (TS060-059001-), situated c. 2m above and slightly to the N of the broken out doorway. The sheela-na-gig is carved in raised relief on a rectangular slab (H 0.55m). Described by Freitag (2004, 124) as having a 'big round head with eyes wide open; strong billowy lines across forehead; large jug ears. Lean rib, and no breasts seem to be indicated. Arms akimbo with hands joined above pudenda, shown as a deep round hole. Squatting position, knees bend, heels touching … and toes turned out'. According to White (1892, 8) the sheela-na-gig is 'said to be a carricature of the cook, in revenge for her incivility to the tradesmen employed in building the castle'.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 09 July 2014
References
White, J.D. 1892 Anthologia Tipperariensis. Cashel.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
- Bawnunder 1 mi
- Buildingunder 1 mi
- Buildingunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.