Tipperary's Sheela na Gigs

Talk in Nenagh Library by Brian Murphy on County Tipperary's Sheela na Gigs

From the cloisters of the nuns' chapel in Clonmacnoise to the windows of Bunratty castle, the Sheela na Gig held a high place in ancient Ireland. Medieval stone figures with exposed and/or exaggerated genitalia, they were usually found on religious buildings. First documented in the mid 19th century, much has been written about these mysterious figures and their exact purpose and meaning has long been debated, with theories suggesting they symbolized either the celebration of fertility and life, remnants of pre-Christian goddess cults, or warnings against sin and lust.

Almost a quarter of all Ireland's Sheela na Gigs resided in the Premier county. In August 2023, a trip to Iona and the loss of his father prompted Brian Murphy to set about the task of recreating the Tipperary collection of stones. What he discovered on his journey was a forgotten history of Celtic Christianity, ancient folklore, coupled with medieval mysticism and the origins of Ireland's master builder, An Gobán Saor. His collection is the first of its kind and a unique opportunity to study the lost language of Ireland's master masons.

For the first ten days of October the collection will be on display in the library and on Tuesday evening, 7th October, at 6.45pm Brian will host a talk on Sheela na Gigs and his own collection of them.