The Liathmore Sheela-na-gig is part of the northern doorway at the larger church ruin at
Liathmore monastic site in the townland of Leigh, County Tipperary. Its Sites and Monuments Record no. is TN042-055004.
The former monastic site is on private land, but signposted from the old Dublin-Cork road (as "Liathmore Two Churches").
Description
Barbara Freitag dates the small sheela-na-gig to the 12th century, while the church she is part of is dated to the 15th.
The
Sheela-na-gig is lying on her left side with her triangular head with large eyes towards the inside of the church and the feet towards the former round tower (now only the foundations remain). Both arms are in front of the body with the hands touching the vulva on both sides which is indicated by a slit. Both legs are straight.
The figure in low relief on sandstone used to have a floral decoration at her feet which are now defaced; similar carvings survive in the church.
Gallery
File:RoundTowerLiathmore.jpg, alt=Liathmore round tower, View from the foundations of the round tower towards the church
File:Liathmore church carving detail.png, Carved stone detail inside the church similar in shape and size to the sheela-na-gig
File:Liathmore relief 2.png, Liathmore figurative relief inside the church, also similar to the sheela-na-gig
See also
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Coolaghmore Sheela-na-gig
The Coolaghmore sheela na gig was discovered in 1975 at the 13th century church at Coolaghmore (also Cooliaghmore or Cooliagh More), County Kilkenny, Ireland during clearance work at the graveyard. It is thought to have been buried in the 19th ...
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Fethard Abbey Sheela-na-gig
The Fethard Abbey Sheela-na-gig is located in a wall on the grounds of the former Augustinian 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 ...
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Kiltinan Church Sheela-na-gig
References
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Sheela na gigs in Ireland
County Tipperary