What is recorded here

A weathered female figure with gritted teeth and hands reaching into her own body stares from a farmyard wall in Balleen Little, likely rescued from Balleen Castle or Balleen church. She embodies ancient local beliefs about birth, protection and transformation rather than shame. People may have carved her to mark a threshold, deter harm or honour the creative power of the body.

Sheela-na-gig built into a wall in a farmyard. The original location is unknown but it is likely that it come from either Balleen Castle (KK009-037001-), located c. 100m to the E, or Balleen church (KK009-038001-), located c. 200m to the SE, both on land attached to the farmyard. The figure is carved within a recessed frame (H 0.39m; Wth 0.27m) on the right hand side of a roughly rectangular slab (dims. H 0.45m; Wth 0.52m; minimum D 0.15m). Described by Freitag as a figure with a, 'Big, skull-shaped head with jug ears and strong facial features; thick ovoid eyes, flat wedge nose, deep striations on both cheeks, thick-lipped, open mouth displaying two rows of gritted teeth. Flat, pointy breasts at shoulder level; clearly marked ribs; big round navel. Arms in front of body with both hands reaching into vulva indicated as slit; fingers barely discernible. Legs widely splayed and bent; feet pointed outwards. A plait-like band hangs from left ear and disappears behind left shoulder’ (Freitag 2004, 133). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien and Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 9 July 2018 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/1992).

Date likely to the medieval period, though influenced by earlier prehistoric traditions; Sheela-na-gig figures are often associated with fertility, childbirth, or supernatural protection. Their presence near churches or castles may reflect a blend of pagan and Christian symbolism.

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