What is recorded here

Sheela-na-gig (present location) in Kiltinan is a sheela-na-gig (present location) in Kiltinan, County Tipperary, Ireland. The small high-relief figure is set 3.6 metres above external ground level on the north wall of a late-16th/17th-century well house associated with Kiltinan castle. It was moved to that wall in 1940 and may have come from Kiltinan church, where another sheela-na-gig stood until it was stolen in 1990. The carving has a grim face, deeply incised ribs, splayed legs and both arms raised, holding an unclear circular shape in the left hand and a slim pointed shape in the right.

On the N wall of a late-16th/17th-century well house associated with Kiltinan castle (TS070-101004-), 3.6m above external ground level. According to Freitag (2004, 135-6) the sheela-na-gig is not in its original position but was put in its present location in 1940 and may have come from Kiltinan church (TS070-105001-). Another sheela-na-gig (TS070-101003-) had been located at Kiltinan church, c. 300m to the W, but was stolen in 1990. Freitag describes the sheela-na-gig as a 'small figure carved in high relief on slab. Well sculpted head with grim facial expression, several lines across forehead to side of head, deep-set eyes. No neck; slim torso with small breasts and deeply incised ribs. Oval pudenda; widely splayed legs tapering into stone. One of the few Sheelas with both arms raised, holding an object in each hand. Neither object clearly discernible, left hand holds up circular shape and right hand a slim, pointed shape' (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

A Sheela-na-gig carving, likely medieval in origin, often associated with fertility or apotropaic symbolism; its original context and specific meaning remain unclear.

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