Historic Ferns

26/05/2026

Not to be missed!
Talk entitled 'The rightful King?' - an update on the results of the excavations of Diarmait MacMurchada's Abbey. The talk will take place at Ferns Castle Visitor Centre at 5pm on Saturday, May 30th. The contributions of specialists in wide ranging fields such as geology and medieval pottery, coupled with radiocarbon dating, has shed new light on this fascinating site. 👑👑👑
The talk will be given by Dr. Stephen Mandal, co-founder of the Irish Heritage School, who will discuss the updated findings on the excavations at Ferns led by Dr. Denis Shine.
Between 2021 and 2023, the Irish Heritage School, led by Dr Denis Shine, undertook research and training excavations in Ferns at a site which is integral to the story of the Anglo-Norman Invasion of Ireland. In the mid-12th century, Diarmait MacMurchada, King of Leinster, established a monastery in Ferns on the site of an Early Christian Monastery founded by St Mogue in the 7th century. The seat of the MacMurchada power and medieval capital of Leinster, Ferns was pivotal to the events that led to the Anglo-Norman invasion. The events that unfolded here over the following 150 years or so provide a fascinating insight into the colonisation of Ireland.
North Wexford Historical Society Visit Wexford Festival of Ferns Enniscorthy Tourism OPW - Office of Public Works New Ross Street Focus

25/05/2026

Haven’t explored the award-winning Coolaught Gardens & Garden Centre yet? Perfect timing!

Join us during the Festival of Ferns. Leaving Ferns at 10am, with an optional lunch at The Courtyard, on return. Check the poster for booking details — don’t miss out!

For a relaxing day trip, it would be hard to find better than a visit to Coolaught Gardens in Clonroche. The visit to this beautiful award winning garden will take place on Saturday, May 30th – leaving Ferns church car park at 10am and returning at 1pm for lunch in The Courtyard (optional). Transport can be arranged (bus or carpool). To book please contact Denis on 087 2465720. Admission to garden: €5 Wexford Garden Trail

25/05/2026

Enjoy a cuppa and cake to support this fundraiser on Saturday from 2pm to 6pm

Please support St. Edan’s Cathedral’s Fundraiser next Saturday @ Festival of Ferns

Historic Ferns Ferns Village Ecclesiastical Ireland Ireland's Ancient East Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory fans

25/05/2026

The Mystery and the Man: The fascinating story of Saint Aidan with author Caroline Busher and Christopher Power, Thursday 28th May at 7.00pm in Bunclody Library.

This presentation by Caroline Busher and Christopher Power explores the many fascinating aspects of Aidan’s life, both the spiritual and the man.

May is a month of new growth and fresh beginnings. From earliest times this month was celebrated by people as a time of rejuvenation and celebration at the beginning of summer. The early Christian conversion in Ireland enthusiastically adopted ancient pagan festivals which were dominated by the changing of the seasons and an awareness of nature. Saint Aidan, patron saint of the Diocese of Ferns, was one of several charismatic religious leaders who came to bring a radical new way of living to his adopted locality, which at the time was utterly unique. Travelling huge distances (for the time) filled with learning (also very unusual for the time particularly the ability to read), Aidan integrated into the region and founded communities based on the Christian faith, a new way of living. Aidan’s story is all the more interesting because many of these ancient pagan sites and traditions were incorporated into the new religion.

Caroline Busher is a an Irish Times Best Selling and Book Award Shortlisted Author. She holds a First-Class Honours MA in Creative Writing from UCD. She is the author of six historical fiction books and is currently completing an MA in Irish Mythology and Folklore in UCC.

Christopher Power is an author, local historian, genealogist and assistant librarian with Carlow Library Services. His many books include the History of Ferns and Saint Aidan of Ferns, which explores the story of St Aidan, the founder and first bishop of the diocese of Ferns.

Booking is essential. Book online at https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/4536134 or telephone 053 9375466.

Should you require any additional supports to enable you to fully participate in this event, please contact the library.

19/05/2026

Spread the word! The countdown has begun - only 10 days to go. Fantastic line up planned for this year's Festival of Ferns. FREE Corner Boy concert (hard to believe but its true), Princess & Knights picnic in the grounds of Ferns Castle, fun activities in the Community Park, a colourful, spectacle parade and entertainment in the grounds of Ferns Castle. Follow on Facebook and Instagram and check out the festivalofferns.com website for details and updates.

19/05/2026

Fantastic photo of St. Mary’s Abbey in the early morning light by local photographer Ivan Kendrick.

01/05/2026

The excitement is building!

The Festival of Ferns 2026 Programme of Events is here! 👑👑
As always, the festival 🎉🎉is about celebrating our community, our heritage, and the unique spirit of Ferns. From music and history to family fun activities, this year’s programme has something for everyone to enjoy. Highlights of this year's festival include a festival parade, Corner Boy in concert on the grounds of Ferns Castle. A new addition to the festivities will be a Princess & Knights Picnic at Ferns Castle.

Thanks to the support of volunteers, sponsors, and the wider community, we continue to keep Festival of Ferns events free to enter. It makes sure the whole community can take part in the celebration.

Watch this space for the further details of our programme and start planning your festival week — we can’t wait to celebrate together!

Wexford County Council Ireland's Ancient East Tourism Ireland Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society Visit WexfordNorth Wexford Historical SocietyOPW - Office of Public WorksEnniscorthy Tourism

20/04/2026

It was wonderful seeing the children and teachers from Scoil Íosagáin Coolgreany enjoying the beautiful sunshine today while visiting our local heritage sites. The visit was part of the Heritage Keepers programme for primary schools and community groups across Ireland that empowers participants to delve into their built, cultural and natural heritage and provides funding to allow them to take positive local action! Looking forward to seeing you all again soon and maybe next time we can arrange a tour of Ferns Castle 🏰

20/04/2026

YOUR CHANCE TO BE PUBLISHED!

The Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society invites papers on The Normans in County Wexford, 1169–2026 for a special edition of The Past marking 2027 as 'The Year of The Normans'.

All submissions welcome. Topics include built history, social & cultural, folklore, and Norman legacy, but are not limited to these.

See attached for details.

20/04/2026

🎉🏰 Ferns Castle reopens for the season on Tuesday, 30th April!

Wishing the very best of luck to the OPW guides – they can’t wait to welcome visitors and locals and share the story of our unique past. The view from the top? Extraordinary. The climb is worth every step 👀🏰

What’s on at the Visitor Centre:
Five carved stone heads – human and animal – from nearby Romanesque Clone Church, displayed with the ancient stone sundial. Once intricately detailed, one head looks like a king… could it be Diarmait MacMurchada, the infamous King of Leinster who founded St Mary’s Abbey in Ferns around 1162?
Don’t miss the wonderful Ferns Tapestry – 12 panels of stitched lFerns Tapestry

🗓️ Plan your visit:
Open daily, 10:00–17:00. Last admissions 16:15.

See you at the castle! OPW - Office of Public Works North Wexford Historical Society Wexford Historical Society Ferns Tapestry Ireland's Ancient East Visit Wexford Ferns Tidy Towns

📸 Photo credit: Mary Gethings - Ferns Heritage Archive Group Clone Church Conservation Project

27/01/2026

The OPW - Office of Public Works are currently hiring seasonal tour guides. If you are passionate about history, storytelling and heritage this is the perfect seasonal job for you!