Do Tipperary’s Sheela na Gigs hold the secrets of fertility and ancient life?

Nenagh Library is hosting a talk and exhibition celebrating the county’s remarkable collection of Sheela na Gigs, the enigmatic stone carvings that have long fascinated historians and folklorists alike.

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Brian Murphy, the collector and historian behind the exhibition, will deliver a talk on Tuesday evening, October 7, at 6:45pm, accompanied by a display of his recreated Sheela na Gigs, available for public viewing during the first ten days of the month.

These medieval figures, often found on religious buildings and noted for their exposed or exaggerated genitalia, were once ubiquitous across Ireland. Their purpose remains a matter of debate.

Some scholars see them as symbols of fertility or remnants of pre-Christian goddess worship, while others interpret them as moral warnings against sin. Tipperary, is home to almost a quarter of all such carvings in Ireland.

A visit to Iona in August 2023, coupled with the recent loss of his father, inspired Brian Murphy to begin recreating Tipperary’s collection of Sheela na Gigs.

His work traces the Sheela na Gigs of Tipperary back through Celtic Christianity, medieval mysticism, and the craftsmanship of Ireland’s legendary master mason, An Gobán Saor.

The resulting collection is the first of its kind, offering a rare insight into the artistry and symbolic language of Ireland’s medieval stonemasons.

For local residents and visitors alike, the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to engage with a piece of Ireland’s ancient past, exploring the mysteries and enduring allure of the Sheela na Gigs.

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