Sheelagh na Gig, Kilnaboy: from the Ancient to the Modern. Re Imag(in)ing the Relic. A contribution to the 'Living Water' Exhibition, curated by Dr. Mark Wormald, Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Artefact. Kilnaboy Sheelagh na Gig.

As part of the 'Living Water' research project led and curated by Dr. Wormald, Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, Michael Moore began, in 2025, a re investigation of the phenomenon of the (stone carving). Sheelagh na Gig in Ireland.

These relics represent a welcoming symbol of Female power and fertility, often over Church doorways or archways. Existing research indicated these carvings were created between the 11th and 17th century's.

To examine these artifacts in a contemporary, technical and digital framework, Michael Moore established links with Gary Dempsey, ATU who has digitally photographed an scanned numerous Sheelagh na Gigs on the Island of Ireland. Mr. Dempsey freely shared his digital files with Moore. Moore then liaised with Martin McGinn (Ulster), whose expertise in digital design and printing, led to the conversion of these digital scans into realized 3D prints. Moore then created a series of plaster moulds, from which ceramic panels featuring the Kilnaboy (Co. Clare) Sheelagh na Gig. This allows for a detailed examination and handling of the original artifact in a hands free manner.

Significant technical support in the realization of the of these new relics came from Ulster Technicians Austyn Finnegan and David McComiskey.

The conceptual investigation, parallel to the digital and technical lens, returns to 'Living Water'. Living Water' is a literal, poetic and visual investigation of the life long friendship and collaboration between painter Barrie Cooke and Poets (Laureate and Nobel Laureate) Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney. All had a concern for the land, the earth and our rivers and seas. In fact the time of this exhibition comes from a letter penned by Barrie Cooke lamenting the pollution of our 'Living Water'.

In the Living Water exhibition and the Barrie Cooke Archive in Pembroke college, there is extensive references to Sheelagh na Gigs, in Heaney's and Hughes letters and poems, and Cookes own mixed media Sile na Gig dated......

Moore's Kilnaboy Sheelagh na Gig, developed in partnership with Dempsey and McGinn, bring a contemporary and digital context to this ancient artifact, so inspirational to Cooke, Heaney and Hughes.

The Living Water exhibition opened to the public on March 19th 2026 and will remain open until Nov. 2026 both in Cambridge University Library and the Mill Lane Galley in Pembroke College.

Lectures and conferences and at the planning stage through 2026 and 2027 and initial discussions have begun to travel Living Water to the National Gallery of Ireland in 2028.

This research will continue in 2026 with a month long residency at the International Ceramics Research Centre (ICRC)in Denmark as <Moore has been offered one of only 5 (non Danish Citizen) artistic residencies, fully funded by the ICRC.