What is recorded here

About 1842, Dr. Chas. Halpin found the stone woman laid loosely on a new gate pier at Lavey church, where she had probably guarded the entrance for generations before the building vanished. Her arms flex across splayed thighs, hands pressing her lower abdomen, while a cut-off right side and protruding tongue give her the look of someone caught mid-speech. She is no longer buried beside the church but sits in the Cavan County Museum, still exposing herself to whoever enters the room.

Found at the site of Lavey church (CV026-052001-). Described by Guest (1936,109) as having arms flexed in front of splayed thighs and hands directed towards the lower abdomen. Now located in the Cavan County Museum (CV038-071----). According to Guest the sheela-na-gig was 'found about 1842 by Dr. Chas. Halpin laid loosely on a gate pier built "recently" at the entrance of the old church-yard. The finder believed it to come from the old church, of which scarcely a trace was then left' (Guest 1936, 109). This sheela-na-gig has been moved from the NMI to the County Museum in Ballyjamesduff, Cavan where it is on display. One of two sheela-na-gigs (CV038-070----) on display at the County Museum in Ballyjamesduff. Described by Freitag as a sheela-na-gig (dims. H 0.43m; Wth 0.23m) with ‘right side damaged from top to bottom giving the impression that figure was cut off vertically. Big head; ovoid eyes with pupils; fleshy nose with clearly cut nostrils; open mouth with protruding tongue and beading round lips, possibly representing teeth. Two or three bands round forehead, and hair seems to be indicated’(Freitag 2004, 127-8). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 24 May 2012

Date likely to the Early Christian period, based on the human figure's stylized posture, which may represent a saint or symbolic figure associated with the early church. The gesture, with hands toward the lower abdomen, could indicate a ritual or devotional act, though specific folklore or use at the Lavey site is not recorded.

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