What is recorded here

Ballyvourney church in County Cork still wears a small female figure above a nave window, her arms possibly crossed at the navel instead of pointing downward. Cut into the lintel, she watches the doorway like a keeper rather than a warning, reminding that even sacred rooms must leave room for the body.

In S wall of nave at Ballyvourney church (CO058-034007-); lintel, forming head of window light, has carving on outside face. The figure (c. 0.3m x 0.2m) cut in false relief immediately above chamfer of window light; figure portrayed with torso, head and arms. The hands may be crossed at the navel rather than pointed downwards as suggested by Andersen (1977, 145). Guest (1936, 110) described it as 'female figure....cut into an ovoid depression'; she considered that it showed 'no definite features of a sheela-na-gig except the pose of the arms'. No. 38 in Cherry's catalogue (1992, 6). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

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