Sheela-na-gig in Dowth

Sheela-na-gig located on external face of S wall of medieval church at Dowth (ME020-019----). Described by Freitag as a ‘figure only vaguely discernible, obscured by funerary monument. Photograph published by Margaret Murray in 1934 shows a small head, biggish, almost rotund torso and both arms reaching down to sizeable round hole, indicating vulva. Guest reported in 1936 that the `prominent abdomen characteristic of this figure had been hacked off to accommodate a modern tombstone'. She also asserts that according to a sketch in private possession, at one time figure had splayed legs and hands directed towards lower abdomen’ (Freitag 2004, 131). (Guest 1936, 113; Andersen 1977, 148). Compiled by: Caimin O'Broem Date of revised upload: 27 January, 2017

A Sheela-na-gig carving, likely medieval in date, associated with fertility or ritual symbolism; often found near ecclesiastical sites, its precise meaning remains uncertain.