What is recorded here

Fourteen metres above the castle floor, a stern limestone woman still guards Cullahill with hands clenched before her vulva. Ivy now strangles the carving, but the figure remains powerfully built, broad-shouldered and legless in the eastern wall. She is not a doll or a joke; she is a boundary marker, telling every person below that the castle belongs to vigilance, not forgetfulness.

A rude carving in relief of a female figure was visible, at a height of 13m, on S end of E wall of Cullahill castle (LA035-022001-) (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 232). Not visible due to ivy growth. Located approx. 14 m above ground incorporated into the masonry of E wall close to SE angle of Cullahill castle (LA035-022001-) Described by Freitag as a ‘powerfully built limestone figure carved in relief. Stern, manly looking face with big ears; broad shoulders; big, limp breasts; strong, billowy lines indicating ribs across upper torso; arms in front of body, hands joined with fingers either covering or entering vulva; no legs’ (Freitag 2004, 131) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 06 June 2012

A Sheela-na-gig carving, likely medieval in date, often associated with fertility or apotropaic symbolism. Such figures appear across Ireland and Britain, sometimes linked to prehistoric or early Christian traditions.

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