Ballinderry Castle (Galway)

This unusually-decorative and slightly-damaged Sheela-na-gig has the usual noticeable hair or head-dress:
in this case two long plaits or braids, each twisted into a different pattern. A rose, a bird (heraldic martlet ?),
a very Irish marigold and two kinds of triskele surround her. Much discussion has arisen over what looks like
a damaged phallus between her damaged legs, but which might be menstrual flux - or even an afterbirth.

Compare Dunnaman Castle and Indian carvings, and the Winterbourne font in Wiltshire, England.


The figure (carved on the keystone of the front door) in its architectural context.




See a nearby castle with similar carvings on an architectural feature - and a very small exhibitionist. >