New book exposes the origins of Sheela na Gigs

FOR WOMEN who've been exposing themselves for centuries, the State's collection of Sheela na Gigs has been leading a sheltered life in recent years, locked away in the National Museum's crypt.

But yesterday they had a rare opportunity to flaunt their wares again. The press was called in to probe their dark secrets one more time and the figures were rubbed with damp cloths to bring their features up for the photographers. Then the cameras flashed, and the Sheelas flashed right back.

The reason for the renewed attention was the publication of a book by Eamonn P. Kelly, the museum's acting Keeper of Antiquities. Sheela na Gigs, Origins and Functions is a brief history of the phenomenon, from its pagan origins through its use in churches and later castles, and on to its appropriation by the modern feminist movement.

Sheela na Gigs owe their popularity to the early Christian pilgrimages to France and Spain when, as Chaucer has recorded, the pilgrims had many of the same things on their minds as modern package tourists. The Sheelas - grotesque representations of women, sometimes with skeletal characteristics and monkey ears but always with genitalia exposed - were designed to dampen the desire of men. Which may have been overestimating the men.

The most likely origins of the name, according to the book, are either Sighle na gCioch - "the old hag of the breasts" - or Sile ina Giob - Sheela (a name for an old woman) on her hunkers. Eamonn Kelly points out that the latter usage explains the Australian slang for women. Not because female Australians are grotesque representations - just that the term went Down Under with Irish emigrants.