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Sheela-na-gig (LI005-017180-) now located in the Hunt Museum in Limerick City (Reg. No. HCM 033). According to McMahon and Roberts this sheela-na-gig was discovered by workers while repairing a culvert on a small stream c. 100m from Black Castle (LI023-040----) where the carving (dims. 0.48m x 0.33m) had been rebuilt into the fabric of the roadside wall (McMahon & Roberts 2001, 120). It has been suggested that this sheela-na-gig may have come from the nearby castle (LI023-040---) when it was pulled down in the 19th century. Described by Freitag as a stone (dims. H 0.5m; Wth 0.34m) with figure ‘skilfully carved in flat relief on local limestone; damaged, head missing, and legs from thigh downwards and left hand also broken away. Trunk and limbs unusually plump without signs of emaciation; well shaped droopy but proportional breasts. Arms passing behind legs; right hand lifting lower part of thigh. Deeply incised naval and oval pudenda; shape of latter exaggerated, and seems to be split at upper end. A groove is cut vertically downwards below pudenda’ (Freitag 2004, 126).
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 28 May 2012
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