More than 100 ancient Irish sculptures of women brazenly baring their genitals have been plotted on an interactive map.

The bizarre sculptures, found in medieval tower-houses, church sites and holy wells, have puzzled historians for decades.

Researchers have suggested the stone carvings, known as the Sheela-na-gigs, may represent fertility - or could even depict the wife of St Patrick.

More than 100 ancient Irish sculptures of women brazenly baring their genitals (pictured) have been plotted on an interactive map

WHAT ARE SHEELA-NA-GIGS? Sheela-na-gigs are carvings of naked, old women exposing an exaggerated vulva. More than 110 have been found in Ireland. They are normally found in medieval tower-houses and churches. Researchers have suggested the stone carvings, known as the Sheela-na-gigs, may represent fertility - or could even depict the wife of St Patrick. However, no one is sure of their exact meaning or what they were used for. Until recently they were seen as figures representing the evils of lust or as ways of averting the ‘evil eye’. Some researchers say they belong to the realm of vernacular folk deities associated with the life-giving powers of birth and death. Advertisement

Sheela-na-gigs are carvings of naked, old women exposing an exaggerated vulva.

More than 110 Sheela-na-gigs have been found in Ireland.

Some experts believe the mysterious stone carvings represent the wife of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Folklorist Shane Lehane, from the University College of Cork, said: 'Perhaps the key to understanding the inherited notion that St Patrick had a wife, Sheela, is to explore the hugely interesting archaeological manifestation that also bears her name: the Sheela-na-Gig'.

'In Ireland, there are over 110 examples of these, oft misunderstood, medieval stone carvings of naked, old women exposing their genitalia.

The strange carvings are often found in medieval tower-houses, medieval church sites and holy wells.

'Up to recently these were seen as figures representing the evils of lust or as ways of averting the 'evil eye,' added Dr Lehane.

The medieval sculptures (pictured) have been found allover Ireland. They are normally found in medieval tower-houses and churches

Some experts believe the mysterious stone carvings (pictured) represent the wife of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland

'More convincing reassessments have reinterpreted the Sheela-na-gig, in line with the Cailleach, as belonging to the realm of vernacular folk deities associated with the life-giving powers of birth and death.

'Placed with the cycles of both the natural and agricultural year and the human life cycle, she can be regarded as the embodiment of the cycle of fertility that overarches natural, agricultural and human procreation and death'.

Other experts support the idea that the carvings represent fertility.

Researchers have suggested the stone carvings (pictured), known as the Seela-na-Gigs, may represent fertility

Until recently the sculptures (pictured) were seen as figures representing the evils of lust or as ways of averting the ‘evil eye’

Beatrice Kelly, Heritage Council Head of Policy & Research, said: 'Sheela-na-Gigs are very evocative symbols of the feminine in old Irish culture and their prominent positions in medieval churches and castles attests to the importance of the female in Irish society.

'As modern Ireland strives for equality in all aspects of life this map can help us all to understand the important place women have traditionally held within our culture and society.'

Heritage Ireland mapped the location of every sculpture in the country using National Monument data.

Michael Starrett, Heritage Council Chief Executive, said: 'HeritageMaps.ie a fantastic tool for learning, discussion and interpretation, making cultural data available to everyone.

'We can all learn from it and in many ways explode myths that have grown up and allow contemporary and very enlightened debate to occur.

'Our Sheela-na-Gig's deserve no less.'

Heritage Ireland has now mapped the location of every sculpture in the country. The bizarre statues are also found in the UK

Explaining how the map was created, Pat Reid of HeritageMaps.ie, said: 'We used publically available National Monuments Service open-data to create the base for this map.

'We augmented this with images and information gathered from the museum sector and Sheela-na-Gig academics and enthusiasts.

'This Sheela-na-Gig dataset is just one of many bespoke datasets we hope to provide in this manner.

'Our aim is to create interest and awareness, and to facilitate further research, in the varied and diverse elements of our cultural heritage.'