Liathmore Sheela-na-gig

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Liathmore sheela-na-gig
Sheela-na-gig at Liathmore Church.png
Sheela-na-gig at Liathmore church
ArtistUnknown
YearUnknown
CatalogueGuest [1] 61, Freitag 62, Andersen 91, McMahon/Roberts 67
Medium Sandstone
Subject Sheela-na-gig
Dimensions10 cm× 45 cm(3.9 in× 18 in)
WeightUnknown
Location Leigh, County Tipperary

The Liathmore Sheela-na-gig is part of the northern doorway at the larger church ruin at Liathmore monastic site in the townland of Leigh, Co. Tipperary. Its Sites and Monuments Record no. is TN042-055004. [2]

Contents

The former monastic site is on private land, but signposted from the old Dublin-Cork road (as "Liathmore Two Churches").

Description

Barbara Freitag dates the small sheela-na-gig to the 12th century, while the church she is part of is dated to the 15th. [3] The Sheela-na-gig is lying on her left side with her triangular head with large eyes towards the inside of the church and the feet towards the former round tower (now only the foundations remain). Both arms are in front of the body with the hands touching the vulva on both sides which is indicated by a slit. Both legs are straight. [3]

The figure in low relief on sandstone used to have a floral decoration at her feet which are now defaced; similar carvings survive in the church.

See also

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<i>Coolaghmore Sheela-na-gig</i> Sculpture

The Coolaghmore Sheela-na-gig was discovered in 1975 at the 13th century church at Coolaghmore during clearance work at the graveyard. It is thought to have been buried in the 19th century. According to local sources, it had been found in a well in Kyle previously and been brought to Coolaghmore Graveyard. It was then donated to Rothe House Museum via Kilkenny Archaeological Society where it is on display in a bricked up window in the shop of the first of the three houses since about 2012. The sites and monuments records number is KK019-026170.

<i>Kiltinan Church Sheela-na-gig</i>

The Kiltinan Church sheela-na-gig is a carved depiction of a nude woman exposing her vulva which used to be part of Kiltinan Church ruin near Fethard, County Tipperary as a quoin stone in the Southwestern corner of the church. However, it was stolen in 1990 and has not been located since. Fethard Historical Society had issued a Wanted poster to help with the retrieval, but to no avail. The National Sites and Monuments no. is TS070-101003.

<i>Fethard Abbey Sheela-na-gig</i>

The Fethard Abbey Sheela-na-gig is located in a wall on the grounds of the former Augustinian Abbey in Fethard. Its National Sites and Monuments number is TS070-040030. One of its earliest mentions is in the School Collection which also includes a black and white photograph.

References

  1. Guest, Edith M. (1937). "Ballyvourney and Its Sheela-na-gig". Folklore. 48 (4): 374–384.
  2. "Historic Environment Viewer". Historic Environment Viewer. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 Freitag, Barbara (2005). Sheela-na-gigs: Unravelling an Enigma. Routledge. p. 137. ISBN   1134282486.