Leigh - TN042-055004 - Sheela-na-Gig

sketchfab

This carving stands prominently on a Romanesque sandstone doorway at the western end of the northern wall in a medieval church nave that has undergone multiple phases of construction. Various reused Romanesque stones can be seen within this doorway and the chancel arch, which likely formed an ornate entrance to an earlier church or round tower. Given its location on a Romanesque stone, it's reasonable to conclude that this is an early example of exhibitionist carvings in Ireland, with other similar examples found at Rattoo, Timahoe, Clonmacnoise, and Cavan. A horizontal sheela-na-gig featuring a stylized figure with a triangular head and round eyes, sagging breasts, and arms pulling apart the vulva is a distinctive characteristic of this carving. Considering the lack of carving on the ends of the stone, it's believed that the model has been rotated to display the carving upright, which is proposed as its original position.