Liathmore (Liath Mór) Church (Tipperary)


This strange figure is set sideways in the doorway of the Romanesque church.
The head is reminiscent of the figures on the 10th century cross at Moone (Kildare).
The breasts and vulva are clear. The feet are obscured by a 'palmette', and above the figure are six decorative bosses.

The sideways-placement recalls the non-exhibitionist figure at White Island, and anticipates the sideways-set quoin-carvings
on several Irish churches (e.g. Kiltinane) and castles (e.g. Tullavin).

(Note that this photo is shown upside-down for greater clarity.)