Ballyconnell

Exhibitionist Figure / Sean Na Gig ?

The stone is known locally as the "Tomregan stone" although the stone was known to exist its actual location was unknown. K.M.Dickie and a Mrs Rogers of Enniskillen searched for it, without success, until it was eventually found in a ditch, in Mullynagolman Townland, by Mrs Rogers and Kenneth Ruddock, Rector of Ballyconnell in the early 1960s. This was near the site of Túaim Dreccon, a famous 7th century university where they practiced a method of brain-surgery. St Bricín was a 7th century Irish abbot and surgeon at Tuaim Dreccón.

The figure has a long head and piercing eyes, wide splaying arms and legs, and what appears to be testicles. Dickie suggests it is holding a stylized skull in each hand. It has been suggested the figure may represent St Bricín. It was believed it came from the dooway of Mullynagolman round tower, but Barrow disputes this because of the size. Dr Susanne Mcnab suggests its function is clear, the size and shape show it would have served as a triangular head over a window. Maybe it was over a window in the round tower. Dr Mcnab also states the style is typical of Irish figurative art in the 12th century. Romanesque sculpture started to appear on the doorways of round towers in the 12th century. During restoration work at Ratoo round tower, in 1880/81, a sheela-na-gig was discovered on the inner face of the north window. The National Monuments Service have classed the Tomregan stone under exhibitionist figure, it certainly is an intriguing piece of Romanesque sculpture.