Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Sheela-na-gig (present location)
Coolatoor, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Coolatoor
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- WM031-007003-
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Sheela-na-gig reputedly taken from Carne Castle (WM024-123----) and once in the possession of Henry Upton, Esq. of Coolatore House (Guest 1935, 119) but has subsequently been removed to the National Museum of Ireland (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 (2004, 126) 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’. Duplicate recorded with WM024-123001-.
Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien.
Date of upload: 12 November 2019
References
Freitag, B. 2004 Sheela-na-gigs: unravelling an enigma. London. Routledge.
McMahon, J. and Roberts, J. 2001 The Sheela-na-gigs of Ireland & Britain: the divine hag of the Christian Celts: an illustrated guide. Mercier Press, Cork.
Cherry, S. 1992 A guide to sheela na gigs. Dublin. National Museum of Ireland.
Guest, E.M. 1936 Irish sheela na gigs in 1935. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 66, 107-29.