What is recorded here

That Sheela-na-gig in the Bunratty East hall is not a pretty muse or a modest symbol. She is a warning, a boundary marker and a reminder that some chambers must be entered with respect. Her grin does not invite you to play; it tells you the stakes.

This figure is now set into the S window in the hall of Bunratty castle (CL062-001004-); it was transferred there from the inner reveal of a window in the top room of the SW tower during a twentieth-century restoration of the castle. It is described by Freitag (2004, 125) as a figure, ‘carved at left to middle of a large rectangular slab. Triangular head with deep-set eyes, grim mouth and gritted teeth. Flat, but sizeable, pendulous breasts. Arms form circle, passing behind thighs. Legs widely splayed and set at right angles to body before bending at right angles at knees. Vulva, sagging below thighs, appears to be torn open by both hands to release some soft substance’ (Andersen 1977, 146, No. 59) CL062-001005-_01.jpg attached. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien/Michael Moore Date of upload: 6 June, 2012

A Sheela-na-gig carving, likely medieval in date, though inspired by or connected to earlier prehistoric fertility symbols; such figures are often associated with themes of fertility, childbirth, or protection.

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