| DATE | Iron Age- last three centuries BC |
| AUTHOR | Unknown - Ireland |
| MEDIA | Granite |
| SIZE | 167 cm tall |
| LOCATION | Ireland - county Galway - Turoe |
| NOTES | This miraculously, and remarkably-preserved sculpture is no longer in its original position not far away inside the Rath (fortified farmstead) of Feerwore (Fír Mhór = Big [orGreat] Men).
Excavations suggested that an open site dating to the last centuries before the Christian Era was later enclosed. The stone the top half is covered with a continuous abstract curvilinear design carved in relief in the Celtic style known as La Tène, with a -line of Greek-key pattern beneath it suggesting the line where the foreskin meets the shaft of the penis. The flowing design can easily be interpreted as ornamental semen. It is amazing that such a wonderful object - resembling (and obviously as important as) the Navel Stone at Delphi, has survived in Ireland up to the 21st century, remaining outdoors, albeit somewhat spoiled by a concrete surround and cattle-grid. The nearest town is Loughrea.
Photographs by Eileen Roche. |
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