The Fethard Abbey Sheela-na-gig is located in a wall on the grounds of the former
Augustinian Augustinian may refer to:
*Augustinians, members of religious orders following the Rule of St Augustine
*Augustinianism, the teachings of Augustine of Hippo and his intellectual heirs
*Someone who follows Augustine of Hippo
* Canons Regular of Sain ...
Abbey in
Fethard. Its National Sites and Monuments number is TS070-040030. One of its earliest mentions is in the School Collection
which also includes a black and white photograph.
Description
The figure is not in its original location. The figure is in an upright orientation and carved in high relief with a disproportionately large head with what Barbara Freitag describes as "jug ears",
but a comparison with a monkey would not be too far off either. There are lines in the forehead and cheeks, maybe to indicate old age or
emaciation. The ribs are clearly defined, and breasts are not indicated. The lower body has been defaced, so that the
vulva
The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external sex organ, female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of vestibu ...
and the right hand touching it are no longer visible. The fingers on the left hand are fanned out, similar to the lost
Kiltinan example. The legs are straight and spindly with the feet missing.
See also
*
Coolaghmore Sheela-na-gig
*
Kiltinan Church Sheela-na-gig
*
Liathmore Sheela-na-gig
References
{{reflist
Sheela na gigs in Ireland
County Tipperary
Sheela na gigs
Vandalism in Ireland