Killeagh Sheela-na-gig (Aghadoe)
At a Glance
County Cork
OS Map 81
OS Coordinate X 001 779
 
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Ancient Ireland Home

Killeagh Sheela-na-gig, Co. Cork

Location: Take N 25 west from Youghal to Killeagh. From Killeagh, where the national road makes a 90 degree turn to the south, make a right North from Killeagh (by road) past the Thatch Pub: After 1 mile, take a turn to the left and travel on through a sharp right turn. Immediately on your left is an open farm track (no gate and somewhat overgrown) This is a very narrow and long track with a drop off on the right, but the track is solid and widens a tiny bit further on. Drive up the open farm track past a large vacant farmhouse on the right, and then on for another another 10 meters or so. Park here. To the right is a grassy farm track. Walk about 12 meters and turn to the right. The sheela should be directly ahead, mounted about 7 feet above ground on the dovecote of a castle (now disappeared). It is surrounded by ivy and may be somewhat obscured. Some careful rearranging of the foliage should give a good view of this unusual figure.

Dimensions: 40 cm high by 30 cm wide

Features: Sheela is carved on limestone in high relief. Her triangular head is set directly on her shoulders with no evidence of a neck. She has small evenly-placed ears, oval eyes, and proportional nose and straight mouth. She has a bald head, pointed chin and no apparent facial scarring. Her wrists sport small bead-like decorations, three on her right arm and two on her left. She appears to have two breasts in the middle of her chest from which ribs radiate to either side. Her left hand is raised and holds a dagger-like object. Her right hand reaches under her thigh and clutches her vulva. Both feet have been broken off.

Comments:Thanks to Gay Cannon's original directions, without which we would never have had a prayer of finding this beauty. Even friends who live nearby had no idea of her existence.

History: This sheela reputedly came from Agahdoe castle, of which only a part of the wall of the dovecoat remains. The land is owned by a Mrs. Twohig (at least as of 2004).

  © 2005 F.J. & K.D. Schorr - All rights reserved.