Historic town

The National Monuments Service's description

St. Aedan or Moedoc (Mogue) probably founded a monastery at Ferns before his death in 624 on land granted to him by Brandubh, whom he had aided in battle (Shearman 1874-5, 525-9). The name - Fearna - means the place of the alder trees, and the importance of the monastery is illustrated by the fact that it was raided by the Vikings on a number of occasions, beginning in 835 AD. It was selected as one of the five diocesan centres in Leinster at the synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 AD, and it has continued in this role down to the present. Its ecclesiastical importance was enhanced by the founding of an Augustinian abbey by Diarmuid Mc Morrough in 1160. In the 12th century Ferns was also becoming the political centre of the Uí Cinsealaigh, who were almost the perpetual kings of Leinster since the time of Diarmait macMael na mBó (died 1072). In 1166 the Uí Chinnselaig had a castle at Ferns, which was probably an earthen ring-work on the site of the later castle.

The Marshalls, who became the heirs to Strongbow's Leinster through the marriage of William Marshall the elder with Strongbow's daughter, Isabella, built the castle before 1232, in part to identify themselves with the old regime of MacMurchada. The building of the Cathedral in the 13th century, probably by John St. John, the first Anglo-Norman bishop, made Ferns the centre of a large diocese and the caput of a large episcopal manor. Between the cathedral and the castle Ferns could have had about 200 burgers and been a substantial settlement, although it never had the status of a town and was not walled. It would probably have been situated between the castle on the local high ground and the church on lower ground c. 400m to the E.

Despite such an auspicious beginning the settlement declined rapidly in the 14th century through encroachment by the Kavanaghs. The castle was captured by the Irish during the Bruce wars (1315-17) and again in 1331 and in 1357-8. From 1360 the Kavanaghs occupied the castle on a continuous basis and records almost cease until they surrendered it to royal authority in 1543. In 1575 Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne burned the cathedral, although he rebuilt it, perhaps in its present form, in 1577. In 1583 the castle and manor were granted to Sir Thomas Masterson, but he was unable to revive the settlement which was described as an ancient ruined town in 1598. (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6; Bradley and King 1990, 47-50)

The monuments include the castle (WX015-003001-) on the site a possible ringwork castle (WX015-003007-), the site of St Máedóg's monastery (WX015-003002-) represented by the high crosses, the Augustinian monastery (WX015-003004-), the Cathedral (WX015-003003-), St Peter's church (WX015-003005-) and St. Máedóg's Well (WX015-003006-). A number of excavations within the village have produced evidence of medieval and earlier occupation, including evidence of the ecclesiastical enclosure (WX015-003031-) that surrounded St. Máedóg’s monastery. (Harbison 1975, 246-8)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 30 April, 2012
Amended: 18 November 2020

References

Harbison, P. 1970 Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Bradley, J. and King, H. 1990 Urban archaeological survey - county Wexford. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Shearman, Rev. J.F. 1874-5 Loca Patriciana – Part IX. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 13, 487-529.

Hore, P. H. 1910 Ferns, Co. Wexford. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 40, 297-315.