Sheela-na-gig

The National Monuments Service's description

This monument is said to have come from Carne Castle (WM024-123----) and was in the possession of Henry Upton, Esq. of Coolatore House (see WM031-007003-) (Guest 1936, 119; McMahon and Roberts 2001, 120). The sheela-na-gig is now located in the National Museum of Ireland (Cherry 1992, 6). Described by Freitag as a figure ‘carved on irregular, heavy slab; triangular head with ovoid eyes and slit-mouth. No neck, heavy shoulders and round breasts. Arms in front of body with both hands reaching into vulva, hanging between widely splayed thighs. Heels joined together and toes pointing down and outwards’ (Freitag 2004, 126).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 05 June 2012

References

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

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

Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.

McMahon, J. and Roberts, J. 2001 The sheela-na-gigs of Ireland and Britain: the divine hag of the Christian celts - an illustrated guide. Cork. Mercier Press.