What is recorded here

Lagavooren holds a worn sandstone Sheela-na-gig, moved from the Priory of St. John to a house front and now kept in Millmount Museum, Drogheda. Rain and handling have blurred much of its form, yet her hands still frame the narrow slit at her centre. She is not pretty, nor is she forgotten; she is a boundary marker, warning that even muted flesh belongs to the world and must be witnessed.

Thought to have come originally from the Priory of St. John (LH024-041008-) but more recently removed from the front of a house at 18 John Street and now stored in Millmount Museum (LH024-041109-), Drogheda. It is of badly worn sandstone and its more obvious sexual overtones, despite a hole near its base, are missing. It is, however, in the general tradition of these grotesque figures. (CLAJ 1977, 69-70, pl. 4) Described by Freitag as a figure, 'carved in high relief on block of sandstone and quite weathered. Behind head of figure three contiguous hollow ovals. Large neckless head, two irregular depressions for eyes, no nose, mouth indicated by slit. No breasts; necklace with pendant pointing at long narrow slit, indicating vulva. Arms in front of body with hands touching vulva, and deep touch-hole underneath' (Freitag 2004, 131). The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 06 June 2012

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