The Song House Ireland

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

The Sheela na Gig: An Ancient Goddess of Life and Death?

Sheela na Gig’s are stone carvings of women exposing their ge****ls which are found mostly on church buildings associated with the Normans, however they have also been found outside Ireland and many believe they are vestiges of older, Pagan iconography.
There has also been some support for two carved figures found on Boa Island, Co. Fermanagh to be considered as part of the Sheela na Gig family and one of these carvings is believed to be pre-Christian.

Sheela na Gigs can also be considered to display postures indicating meditative positions. A connecting and similar argument has been put forward for the Cernunnos figure found on the Gundestrup cauldron.
Scholars have noted the association between yoga positions and iconography relating to Hinduism and a possible earlier Proto-Indo-European spiritual discipline.
There is also evidence that these positions can be helpful for pain alleviation during childbirth which would mark another interesting function of the icons.

Until quite recently the academic consensus, while leaving some small room, tended to favour the idea that Sheela na gigs had been created by the Normans around the 11th century.
Sheela na gigs have been found in high numbers in Ireland and Britain, as well as Western Europe. This would, indeed, seem to play into the Norman hypothesis.
The difficulty with this is that the theory must then discard or ignore pre-Norman figures.
Comparative scholarship within anthropology and archaeology has shown that the archetype of the Sheela na gig can be found worldwide and at far older dates.
The Goddess, Lajja Gauri, is a good example.
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An even older representation is the so called 'squatting woman' found at Gobekli Tepe, dating to 9'500 BCE at least.
https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/12525705192085532/

In the image for this post I have included both a 12th century Sheela, as well as a figure that dates from over 8’500 years ago. As you can notice, even though the style of carving may be different, the symbolism and gesture are the same.
This ancient 'Foremother' figure pictured was found at Lepenski Vir, Serbia and has been dated to roughly 6'500 BCE.
She was the most prominent 'goddess' found at this site and she seems to have been associated with wombs, water and birth.

Marija Gimbutas has also written about the correlations between this figure and the frog goddess of Egypt, Heqet, who was also a protector of pregnant women and birth.
This is an important clue in the original identity of the Sheela na gig.
This figure may even date back further to the Palaeolithic where we have bone engravings of frog/ toad women. These carvings are interpreted to represent regeneration and the cycle of life.

Seeing the Sheela na gig as an updated representation of a goddess who was a protector of pregnant women would certainly seem to make sense. Not only do we have a direct relationship to ancient goddess carvings, but to a specific goddess who has been documented as being evoked to assist at births.
The problem of course is looking back over such a vast distance in time and expecting interpretations to have remained the same. Even today we can see how diversified opinions can be when it comes to symbolism and archaeological viewpoints.
Is there any reason as to why Christians would have placed representations of a Pagan goddess on their buildings?

Well, we have a better understanding today about the repression of the wise-woman tradition in all of its manifestations. In a previous post I have written about the suppression of women sorceresses, the bean feasa and the older earth goddesses themselves. The expression of women’s sexuality is another reason why Sheela na gig’s might have been placed within church structures: it would be a way in which to visually curtail this power and assert its ‘sinfulness’.

There is another theory that the placement of the Sheela within a church was to protect the weakest part such as a door or window from evil. In this context there is both a practical reason as well as a magical transference reason for including the Sheela as part of the church. One interpretation of this is that the power of the Sheela was now curtailed by the power of Christianity.

Ironically, similar figures from the Republic of Palau in the western Pacific called Dilukai were also placed over doorways to protect against evil but when Christian missionaries arrived they propagated the idea that the images were to shame immoral women instead. This has a similar ring to the previous Irish interpretation of Sheela na gigs.

Speculating about this is one thing but do we actually have any other historical precedent for the deliberate misinterpretation of ancient pagan deities by arriving Christians?
Actually, we have much more than that.
In a letter sent by Pope Gregory in 500AD, Christian missionaries and monks were told to curb the violent attacks against pagans and their places of worship.

In this letter, the Bishops and monks are encouraged to instead Christianise the sacred sites and swap pagan idols for Christian saints and counterparts.
This would indicate that a process was in place long before the Normans arrived to change the meaning of idols from representing the more ancient gods and goddesses to something else entirely.

So, does this mean that all Sheela na gig figures are original, ancient carvings?
No, I don’t think so, but some might be.
What it does indicate, though, is that there is an even stronger case today for the antiquity of the *motif* represented in the carvings.
Many previous interpretations of Sheela na gigs came before the new findings and information relating to the goddess figures of Lepenski Vir, for example.
Seeing the Sheela na gig as an ancient goddess of regeneration seems much more viable today than a few decades ago.

(C.) David Halpin.

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17/03/2026

Our next death cafe is Friday 27th March 6.30-8.30pm at The Song House Ireland
All welcome 💚

11/12/2025

✨ Death Café Donegal ✨

We’re delighted to again invite you to Death Café Donegal / Caifé Báis Dún na nGall

Our next death cafe is
📍 The Song House / Teach na nAmhrán, F92 D4EX
📅 Monday 29th December
⏰ 11.00am – 1.00pm

❄️🎄 The holidays can bring up lots of thoughts and feelings around death and we’d love for you to join us in the midst of this season to gather and bring a little light to this potent subject. 🕯️

Death Cafe is a gentle, welcoming gathering where we come together to talk openly about death, dying, and what it means to live fully.

A Death Café isn’t a grief group, a counselling session, or a place with an agenda. Instead, it follows a few simple, beautiful principles:

☕ Open, respectful conversation
🥧 No set topics, no pressure to speak
🌿 A safe, friendly space to explore thoughts about death and life
💬 Everyone’s experiences and questions are welcome
💛 Always held with warmth, openness, and no intention other than connection

We believe that talking about death can bring clarity, ease, and even moments of lightness — especially when shared over tea and cake in good company.

Whether you feel curious, reflective, unsure, or simply want to listen, you are welcome exactly as you are.

If you’d like to come along, we’d love to have you with us.

03/12/2025

Erin K Taylor is hosting a series of sound baths at the house, and the next one is this Saturday! Read on for more info:

“Hi good folk,

As the season turns and the darkness descends I am hosting some group Sound Baths at the beautiful Song House. I use Tibetan Singing Bowls and a gong, and hold the energy of an unbroken tradition stretching back thousands of years. Their vibrations and sounds soothe the mind and body and bring balance to the energetic system. It would be an honour to have you join, please forward this invitation onto anyone you think would be interested.

Dates: Dec 6 & Dec 20
Time: 10am - 12pm
Cost: 20 Euro
Bring: Cosy comfy clothes and whatever you have to make a nest that will keep you comfy lying on the floor for around an hour (yoga mat/blankets/pillows etc)

The group is limited to 10 participants so please RSVP.

Email: [email protected]”

26/11/2025

Join us for an incredible workshop exploring sound and movement with the legendary Leah Song Music at the house next Sunday before a concert at Revive Dunfanaghy with Leah and Duncan Wickel at 6pm 🌟🌀

Open to all, regardless of singing level. All relationships to sound and voice welcome.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://www.thesonghouseireland.com/folkchorus

💗

19/11/2025

Hello all, join us at the house next Saturday for the next monthly Death Café.

We’re delighted to invite you to our next Death Café Donegal / Caifé Báis Dún na nGall — a gentle, welcoming gathering where we come together to talk openly about death, dying, and what it means to live fully.

A Death Café isn’t a grief group, a counselling session, or a place with an agenda. Instead, it follows a few simple, beautiful principles:

☕ Open, respectful conversation
🥧 No set topics, no pressure to speak
🌿 A safe, friendly space to explore thoughts about death and life
💬 Everyone’s experiences and questions are welcome
💛 Always held with warmth, openness, and no intention other than connection

We believe that talking about death can bring clarity, ease, and even moments of lightness — especially when shared over tea and cake in good company.

📍 The Song House / Teach na nAmhrán, F92 D4EX
📅 Saturday 29th November
⏰ 11.00am – 1.00pm

Whether you feel curious, reflective, unsure, or simply want to listen, you are welcome exactly as you are.

If you’d like to come along, we’d love to have you with us. 💛

Death Café Donegal - Caifé Báis Dhún Na NGall

18/11/2025

We are delighted to have the talented song weaver and creatress Leah Song Music of Rising Appalachia at the house for a Folk Chorus Masterclass on December 7th!

Exploratory, creative and potent, Leah’s masterclass will be a portal to connecting more deeply with your body and voice. Mark your calendars and book your place here 🌈🪶🌻

https://www.thesonghouseireland.com/folkchorus

30/10/2025

Hello everyone! Our dear friend Karen McLaughlin is hosting a series of Shamanic healing circles at the house in November. Below are the details. 🪨🌬️🔥🌊

***PLEASE NOTE: NEW DATES***

I’ve rescheduled these shamanic circles. Now happening on Mondays in November. I really want to have a shamanic community here in NW Donegal. It’s so enriching to journey (literally and figuratively) together.

What is it?
A series of three shamanic circles.
A space to sit in circle, connecting authentically with others and connecting to the wisdom within.
Each session will include a shamanic journey with the drum and simple ceremony.

Who is it for?
Anyone who would like to connect meaningfully with others, with spirit guides and with their own wise heart.
Those new to shamanism and experienced practitioners are equally welcome. We are building community and you can participate at whatever level you’re at.

Where?
In the welcoming space of Teach Na nAmhrán (the Song House) in Falcarragh. A lovely room with a garden, looking out on Muckish.

The practicalities:
Cost: €18 per session (discounted places available on request)
Pay in advance for the three sessions: €45
Bring: something to lie on (e.g. yoga mat or blanket), cushion, a blanket or throw for warmth, notebook and pen, your rattle if you have one (there will be spares available)

To book: 0857853699

Karen McLaughlin is an experienced facilitator and fully trained shamanic practitioner. Her work is heart-centred, rooted in the land, and guided always by Pure Love.

The Song House Ireland

16/10/2025

As we approach Samhain, a sacred time for honouring and connecting with our ancestors, we invite you to join us at Death Café in remembrance of those who have gone before us. This month, you’re welcome to bring a photograph of a loved one who has died, so their presence may be felt among us as we share and reflect together.

16/10/2025

Join us at The Song House for another Death Café on Monday, October 20th from 7-9. We will have tea and cake, as always. Everyone is welcome. 💜

As Samhain approaches, the time is fitting to gather together to remember the dead and lean into our relationship with death, and therefore life.

At a Death Café, people come together in a relaxed and friendly space to talk openly about death and dying – and what it means to live fully. You don’t need to know what to say or have any special experience – just bring yourself. It’s a gentle, welcoming space where you can share, listen, or simply enjoy tea and cake in good company. 🍵

We invite you to bring a photograph of a loved one who has died, be it person orDeath Café Donegal - Caifé Báis Dhún Na NGalla monthly gathering, feel free to follow along and join the page here: Death Café Donegal - Caifé Báis Dhún Na NGall