Sheela-na-gig (present location) in Kiltinan

On the N wall of a late-16th/17th-century well house associated with Kiltinan castle (TS070-101004-), 3.6m above external ground level. According to Freitag (2004, 135-6) the sheela-na-gig is not in its original position but was put in its present location in 1940 and may have come from Kiltinan church (TS070-105001-). Another sheela-na-gig (TS070-101003-) had been located at Kiltinan church, c. 300m to the W, but was stolen in 1990. Freitag describes the sheela-na-gig as a 'small figure carved in high relief on slab. Well sculpted head with grim facial expression, several lines across forehead to side of head, deep-set eyes. No neck; slim torso with small breasts and deeply incised ribs. Oval pudenda; widely splayed legs tapering into stone. One of the few Sheelas with both arms raised, holding an object in each hand. Neither object clearly discernible, left hand holds up circular shape and right hand a slim, pointed shape' (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

A Sheela-na-gig carving, likely medieval in origin, often associated with fertility or apotropaic symbolism; its original context and specific meaning remain unclear.