The Dean of Cashel explains the mysterious and often misunderstood Sheela na Gig stone carvings.
The mention of Sheela na Gig carvings depicting female figures with prominent vulvas, generally provokes one of two reactions.
People either burst into giggles or start making sounds of disapproval.
Many Sheela na Gigs are found on old buildings around the country, and the Dean of Cashel, the Very Reverend David Woodworth is writing a book on the mysterious and somewhat misunderstood carvings in his area.
A Sheela discovered in a Clonoulty graveyard in 1989 is now housed in the Bolton Library, Cashel. David Woodworth instantly recognised this carving as a Sheela. Her face was hacked off, but he points out that the face is the least important part of the Sheela.
What defines a Sheela is the concentration on the genitals, female genitals, because they're female figures.
Tipperary is fertile ground for Sheela na Gigs. One of its Sheelas can be found 5 metres above the east door inside the keep of Ballynahinch Castle.
That seems to be a guardian of the entrance, keeping the evil away.
David Woodworth thinks the name Sheela na Gig could be derived from the Gaelic word for fairy and an Irish slang term for the vulva. He explains that Sheela na Gigs are not just found in Ireland. There are ornate ones in France and a number in England, often far more obscene than the Irish versions.
They include gentlemen as well as ladies, at it, as they say.
The Tipperary town of Fethard has two Sheelas. One is situated in the middle of a small south facing section of the old, fortified wall at Watergate Street. It is thought she was placed here to deter invaders, acting as a guard of the entry.
At the Augustinian Abbey in the south-eastern end of the town, there is a Sheela set into the wall like a keystone. This Sheela is so anatomically incorrect, David Woodworth muses,
There is a comical element, I suppose about, them which does balance out the unpleasantness.
He does not think the Sheela na Gigs are fertility symbols, and suggests they are the opposite. These carved females hark back to the belief that women are the source of original sin. The presence of a Sheela na Gig is,
Putting up something that is evil, to repel evil.
This report also features the work of artist Carmel Benson exhibited in the 'Primeval Concerns’ show in Dublin's Graphic Studios.
This episode of 'Arts Express' was broadcast on 20 November 1990. The presenter is Mike Murphy. The reporter is Mary O’Sullivan.
