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Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland

Sheela-na-gig

Fethard, County Tipperary South, Ireland

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915) covering the location of Sheela-na-gig, Fethard, County Tipperary South, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Townland
Fethard
County
Tipperary South
Country
Ireland
First-edition OS map
Not indicated
Latest-edition OS map
Not indicated
Coordinates
52.46538, -7.69343
SMR number
TS070-040007-

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1790 map "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1790 · Composite: Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1882 · Ireland (southern half). (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1891 · Ireland 16 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1904 · Sheet 13. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗

The National Monuments Service's description

Carved figure located in the section of Fethard town wall (TS070-040032-) that overlooks Clashawley River and Watergate Bridge (TS070-040017-). According to Freitag the surrounding stones of the town wall (TS070-040032-) placed to accommodate figure which appears to be carved in the round. Described by Freitag as a figure, with a ‘biggish head with strong facial features; staring eyes, clearly incised triangular pattern starting underneath left eye and radiating towards wall, slightly open grim mouth showing clenched teeth. Emaciated neck, no breasts, deeply incised ribs and a protruding round navel. Figure is seated with short legs widely splayed; hands passing underneath thighs with fingers disappearing in vulva’ (Freitag 2004, 133).

See attached screenshots of 3D model of Sheela-na-gig created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6qPJw

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 5 June 2012

References

Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Sites and Monuments Record data: National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Record text is reproduced unchanged. National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland · CC BY 4.0
All Sheela-na-gig in Tipperary South All County Tipperary South records All Ireland Heritage registers Historical markers (US)National Register of Historic Places (US)
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