I've only been to a hand full of Sheelas, but this is my favourite so far. She is built into the tower of the castle on the east wall to the left of the doorway.
She appears to have been carved as if standing, but is set into the wall horizontally. Her feet both point in the same direction (to her right) and she has markings on her stomach representing ribs, which make her look haggered. This is in stark contrast to her large head, which looks quite healthy.
Quite unusually her characteristic open vulva is set in the middle of her chest and her hands pass behind her thighs and instead of indicating her vulva (because it's not there!) grasp hold of the opposite leg.
This is a wonderful carving and well worth visiting if you're in the area. It's another location where I knew I was in the right place due to the 'Beware of the Bull' signs n the gates just below the castle.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Ballynacarriga (Co. Cork) | Skregg (Co. Roscommon) | Fethard Abbey (Co. Tipperary) |
Cullahill (Co. Laois) | St. Munna's Church (Co. Westmeath) | Garry Castle (Co. Offaly) |