Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Glebe (corkaree By., Taghmon Ed), County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Glebe (corkaree By., Taghmon Ed)
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.60097, -7.26646
- SMR number
- WM012-076002-
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
St. Munna's Church standing in centre of graveyard (WM012-076001-) with Taghmon Castle (WM012-074----) 150m to NW and motte and bailey (WM012-079----) 350m to SE. Sheela-na-gig located over trefoil window in N wall of 15th century Taghmon church (WM012-076----); not in original location (Freitag 2004, 142). Described in 1980 as following; ‘The more westerly window in the north wall has a sheela-na-gig (WM012-076002-) above it (also of sandstone)’ (SMR File, 24/10/1980).
Described by Freitag as a, ‘figure carved on slab in seated position. Big head without ears; pained expression on face, with mouth wide open, baring two rows of teeth. Two indentations for eyebrows and clearly marked nostrils. Big hands clasping tightly flexed knees. Lower legs held apart, revealing big oval pudenda with round hole in middle. Lower part of carving missing’ (Freitag 2004, 142).
Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised upload: 27 January 2015
References
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Nearby in the register
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Ecclesiastical enclosureunder 1 mi
- Castle - tower houseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.