Ferns, County Wexford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ferns (Fearna in Irish, meaning alder trees) is a small historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland with a population of about 900. It is 16 km from Enniscorthy, on the Gorey to Enniscorthy N11 road. The ruins of Ferns Castle lie a short distance from the town.

[edit] Heritage

Ferns has a very extensive historical past. The town is believed to have been established in the 6th century. It was once the capital of Leinster when the Kings of that province had their seat of power there. Ferns Castle, an Anglo-Norman fortress was built in the 13th century by William, Earl Marshall. Today about half of the castle still stands. The castle draws a small, but steady tourist trade to the town.

Several other reminders of the town's eventful history include St Mary's, a 12th century Augustinian Priory, a 13th-century cathedral and several high crosses and parts of crosses.

The town gave the name to the Diocese of Ferns. The town's religious traditions live on today through the recent establishment in Ferns of a hermitage for prayer and total devotion to God.