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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
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