Eamonn P. Kelly

This guide is slim, but it features an introduction to all the sections of the archaeological museum in Dublin and photos of some of the exhibited items. While most of the sections showcase Irish items, ranging from prehistoric Ireland to the end of the Middle Ages, there are also finds from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Cyprus.
The texts provide a quick overview of the history of Ireland that is concise and easy to understand, but not too shallow. The pictures are stunning and once again, I show more marveled at the craftsmanship and the beauty of the archaeological finds, many of them made of gold and silver. There are lunulae, brooches and bracelets, but also weapons, crucifixes, book covers and many other things.
Some items are described in detail, but there is no picture shown, which is a pity. In addition, the chapters about Egypt and Cyprus could have been a bit longer. They feel like a small add-on, but I would have liked to learn a bit more.
Apart from that, it is a wonderful guide and it just made me want to visit Ireland, and the museum, again. show less

Ah, the terrifying vagina! Entrance-way to life, and dubious haven to which a certain segment of the human population seems determined to return with some regularity...

This calls to mind an experience I once had, sitting quietly on the sofa at a college-friend's party - it's the sad truth, fellow readers, but I don't always handle the loneliness of crowds very well. There on the coffee table in front of me was a copy of The Yoni: Sacred Symbol of Female Creative Power, devoted to the topic show more of the vagina - everything from general history to a discussion of types (all I remember is that one was called the "elephant," but I digress). I recall that a young man approached, picked up the book, browsed its pages briefly, set in gingerly down, and remarked to me, before walking off: "I'm not even going to pretend that I'm not intimidated by this."

This brief introduction gives an overview of the stone carvings known in Ireland as "sheela-na-gigs," figures in which the naked female form is displayed with enlarged and prominent genitalia. Believed to have been introduced to Ireland after the Norman invasion, these carvings were frequently found on churches, and were originally intended as medieval warnings against the sin of lust. But as the Anglo-Irish gradually assimilated into the more traditional Irish culture, with its more positive views of female sexuality, it is believed that these figures came to be viewed as having protective qualities.

It is not always easy to find information on these little statues, which were frequently hidden or destroyed from the 18th century onward. I have paged through the index of many books devoted to ancient and medieval Irish art, with nary a mention found. It is only in recent years that sheela-na-gigs have gained the scholarly attention they deserve. Needless to say, I was pleased to come upon this little book, published for the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Profusely illustrated with thirty-six black & white photographs, and a central insert with twenty-five color photographs, this makes an ideal introduction to the topic. show less

A brief (48 pages) review of the permanent collections on view at the Natinoal Museum's Archaeology Kildare Street facilities. Wonderful color photographs.

That museum is one of the most fascinating that I've ever been in.