Fethard (Tipperary)

There are two figures in the tiny town of Fethard.
This one (less photographed than the other associated with the abbey)
is on a remnant of the mediæval town wall at the former Water Gate.

It may, however, have come from the abbey.

Showing emaciation and (unusually) teeth and distinctive almond-shaped eyes
more usually associated with Irish Romanesque figures,
this is a remarkably disquieting piece of sculpture - perhaps performing an apotropaic function,
facing the bridge which leads into the town.

Tiny, claw-like hands pull a deeply-carved vulva.

On the other hand, this figure could well exemplify the road to Hell passing between the thighs,
a typically Augustinian judgement.

 

 

 

Compare with a figure on a street-wall in Assisi.

photo by Michael Adlem

Click to see the nearby figure at the Augustinian abbey