Ballaghmore (historically Bellaghmore, from Irish: an Bealach Mór, meaning 'the great way')[1] is a small village located on the western side of County Laois, Ireland, southwest of Portlaoise.

[2] The village has a hurling club (Kyle GAA) and a Roman Catholic church (Saint Molua's).

Ballaghmore Castle was built in 1480 by the Irish chieftain Mac Giolla Phádraig, translated as McGillpatrick / Son of the Servant of Patrick (nowadays often called simply Fitzpatrick).

[citation needed] A feature of Ballaghmore Castle is the Sheela na Gig which is carved in a corner stone of the outer front-facing wall.

[4][5] The Sheela na Gig is depicted as a half-dead woman with a contorted face and fully exposed vagina.