Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig
Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Athlone
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- Coordinates
- 53.42183, -7.94286
- SMR number
- WM029-042091-
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 display in Athlone Castle Museum (WM029-042053-). Figure formerly placed above gateway of laundry belonging to the Convent at St Peter's Port (Guest 1936, 113; McMahon and Roberts 2001, 113). Abraded sandstone squatting figure. The hands are clasped around the legs which are drawn up under the chin and the vulva or anus is openly displayed. The face has protruding lips and slanting eyes. Dims. H 40cm, W 21cm, D 20cm. Originally from St. Peter's Abbey (WM029-042003-/ WM029-042091) (Bradley et. al. 1985, 48-9). Described by Freitag as a ‘sculptured almost in the round. Strong face with pursed lips, and a striated pattern incised across left cheek. With arms embracing tightly flexed knees. Big V-shaped vulva’ (Freitag 2004, 122).
Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload/revision: 05 June 2012
References
Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.
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.
Nearby in the register
- Religious house - Cluniac monksunder 1 mi
- Castle - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
- Architectural featureunder 1 mi
- Innunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.