Sheela-na-gig

The National Monuments Service's description

Identified by Collis (Clibborn 1840-44, 565) as a sheela-na-gig 'in the gable of an old church at Rochestown' (TS081-042001-). It is recorded as being in the E gable by Killanin and Duignan (1967, 66). According to local information it was robbed about forty years ago, c. 1958. It is described by Guest (1936, 110) as being hidden by ivy and by Anderson (1977, 151) as missing. Anderson includes a 19th-century sketch by Westropp of the sheela-na-gig. From the sketch the carving appears to be quite naturalistic depicting a female form with a bald, oval head, eyes appear closed, slightly splayed nose and mouth and drooping breasts. There is a suggestion of ribs beneath the breasts. The arms are bent at the elbows, the sinister hand touching the oval vulva. The dexter hand holds the dexter thigh in a splayed position. The sinister leg is similarly in a splayed position. Both arms are in front of the legs. The feet are not clearly shown. The figure appears to be carved in relief on a rectangular block of stone, though the upper portion of the stone is obscured by ivy. Its current location is unknown.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 13 January 2014

References

Killanin, M.M. and Duignan, M.V. 1962 Shell Guide to Ireland. London. Ebury Press.

Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.

Clibborn, E. 1844 On an ancient stone image presented to the Academy by Charles Halpin, M.D. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 2, 565-76.

Andersen, J. 1977 The Witch on the wall: medieval erotic sculpture in the British Isles. London. Allen and Unwin Ltd.