from Journal of the Cork Historical and Archæological Society, volume XII, 1906, page 84:

Mr Garrett Nagle, of Ballinamona Castle, went to London to take part in the procession on the Coronation of George IV, to show the English how an Irish gentleman lived. He took a large retinue of servants, carriages, horses, etc. and spent a fortune in a very short time.

"In his absence, there were some repairs done to the castle and the tradesmen came across the "sheela-na-gig" on the left-hand side of the entrance door. (Part of this door is now (1904) at Ballinvonare.)

"It was a nude woman, which shocked their feelings so much, that they broke it and scattered the pieces about. Years afterwards it was discovered by Mr James Byrne, of Wallstown Castle.

"The legend about sheela-na-gigs has it, that while they are intact the luck remains with the family, but when broken, the luck forsakes them. In this case it evidently did [forsake them], for the Nagles shortly afterwards lost a considerable amount of property."

"Mr James Byrne, J.P. adds: 'The sheela-na-gig was built into a pier by the late Edmond Nagle, quite near the new house which he erected adjoining the castle [reputed to have been built by the Nagle family in the reign of King John in the early 13th century]. It was built on the site of the old cottage, about forty-six years ago [i.e. around 1860, over 20 years into Victoria's reign]. It appears in the photo taken by the late Major H.T.F. White. The house is now in ruins, but a cottage built on the ground by the late Mr Patrick Nagle, is occupied by the present tenant, W. Regan. When lately searching over the place I could not find the sheela-na-gig; but after much searching I found a broken fragment several yards away from the pier on which I first saw it built."