Ferns, County Wexford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferns
Fearna (Irish)
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Town
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 Ferns
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Wexford |
| Elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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1,317 |
| Irish Grid Reference | T017498 |
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1831 | 571 | — |
| 1841 | 632 | +10.7% |
| 1851 | 637 | +0.8% |
| 1861 | 586 | −8.0% |
| 1871 | 568 | −3.1% |
| 1881 | 495 | −12.9% |
| 1891 | 517 | +4.4% |
| 1901 | 495 | −4.3% |
| 1911 | 505 | +2.0% |
| 1926 | 507 | +0.4% |
| 1936 | 342 | −32.5% |
| 1946 | 445 | +30.1% |
| 1951 | 441 | −0.9% |
| 1956 | 588 | +33.3% |
| 1961 | 557 | −5.3% |
| 1966 | 580 | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 712 | +22.8% |
| 1981 | 823 | +15.6% |
| 1986 | 811 | −1.5% |
| 1991 | 859 | +5.9% |
| 1996 | 915 | +6.5% |
| 2002 | 985 | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 954 | −3.1% |
| 2011 | 1,362 | +42.8% |
| 2016 | 1,415 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 1,317 | −6.9% |
Ferns (Irish: Fearna, meaning place of alders) is a very old town in north County Wexford, Ireland. It is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) north of Enniscorthy. Right in the center of Ferns, you can see the remains of Ferns Castle. The town is part of a larger area called a civil parish, which has the same name.
Contents
Exploring the History of Ferns
How Did Ferns Begin?
Ferns is thought to have started in the 6th century. This was around the year 598. A monastery was built here, dedicated to St. Mogue (also known as St. Aidan). He was an important religious leader, a Bishop of Ferns.
Ferns as a Capital City
For a time, Ferns became the capital of the Kingdom of Leinster. This was a powerful kingdom in the southern part of Ireland. It was even the capital of Ireland for a while. People believe Ferns was once a very large city.
Sadly, a big fire destroyed most of it. If the fire hadn't happened, some think Ferns might be one of Ireland's biggest cities today.
Important Buildings and People
King Dermot MacMurrough founded St. Mary's Abbey around 1158. This was a home for Augustinian canons, who were a type of religious group. King MacMurrough was buried there in 1171.
Ferns Castle: A Medieval Fortress
Ferns Castle is an old Anglo-Norman fortress. It was built in the middle of the 13th century. William, Earl Marshall, a very powerful man, built it. Today, about half of the castle is still standing.
St. Edan's Cathedral: A Historic Church
The town also has St. Edan's Cathedral. This church was built in the 13th century. It was once a very large cathedral. The part of the cathedral you see today is the original east wall. The church used to stretch much further west.
In the 19th century, a tower and a Chapter House were added. The cemetery around the cathedral has several old high crosses and pieces of crosses.
What Was Ferns Like in the 1800s?
In the 19th century, the number of people living in Ferns reached its highest point in 1851. However, it never reached the size it was in medieval times. An old book from 1834 said the town had "106 houses indifferently built," meaning they weren't very fancy. It also said the town showed "no trace of its ancient importance."
Even today, the Abbey, St. Peter's Church (both Catholic and Anglican), and the remains of the great cathedral are seen as important, holy places. They are still used as churches.
Churches in Ferns
The Old and New St. Aidan's Church
The old Catholic church in Ferns stood in the northern part of town until the 1970s. It was then taken down. A convent called St. Aidan's Monastery of Adoration has been in its place since 1990.
The first stone for the new Church of St. Aidan was laid on January 31, 1974. This new Roman Catholic church was finished in 1975. In 2007, the church had a big makeover. The old roof was replaced, and the inside was updated.
Special Features of St. Aidan's Church
Inside the church, on the wall near the altar, there is a plaque. It lists the names of all the parish priests since 1644. The large pipe organ in St. Aidan's Church is very old, dating back to 1901.
Originally, people had to pump air into the organ by hand. In the 1970s, an electric blower was added to do this job. The organ was moved from the old church to the new one. It was taken apart, changed, and put back together to fit in the smaller space. It is still used today.
The church bell is also very old, from 1911. It was first put in the tower of St. Mogue's Church. Now, it stands outside the new Catholic church. It is rung on special days, like New Year's Eve, Christmas, and Easter.
Religion and Heritage in Ferns
Ferns is so important for religion that it gave its name to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns and the Church of Ireland Diocese of Ferns. The town's religious history continues today with a hermitage, a quiet place for religious reflection.
What Can We Learn from Ferns' Past?
Ferns shows signs of four different time periods in Irish history. Digs by archaeologists have found evidence of people living here during the Bronze Age, Iron Age, early Christian times, and the Norman period.
Important Heritage Sites to Visit
Ferns has many religious sites from different historical periods. These include:
- Ferns Castle (which has a visitor center and shows the Ferns Tapestries)
- Cathedral Graveyard
- The Grave of King Dermot MacMurrough
- St. Mary’s Augustinian Abbey
- St. Edan’s Cathedral
- Remains of the great Medieval Gothic Cathedral
- Ferns High Crosses
- St. Mogue’s Cottage
- St. Peter’s Church
- St. Mogue's Well
- Monument to Father John Murphy (who was born near Ferns)
- St. Aidan's Church (the new Catholic Church)
- St. Aidan’s Monastery of Adoration (a convent on the site of the old Catholic church)
Getting Around Ferns
Roads and Motorways
Ferns is located on the R772 road, which connects Gorey to Enniscorthy. It also meets the R745 here. Both of these are regional roads. Since July 18, 2019, the town has been bypassed by the M11 motorway. This motorway links Dublin to Wexford.
Bus Services
You can catch regular bus services from Ferns to Dublin and Rosslare. Buses run almost every hour, provided by different companies.
Ferns Railway Station
The Ferns railway station first opened on November 16, 1863. It stopped taking passengers on March 30, 1964. It then stopped carrying goods on November 3, 1975. Finally, the station closed completely on March 7, 1977.
Sports in Ferns
Ferns is home to Ferns St Aidan's GAA. This is a local sports club where people play hurling, Gaelic football, and camogie.
Famous People from Ferns
- Anne Doyle - a former newsreader for RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster.
- Dermot MacMurrough (died 1171) - a former King of Uí Cheinnselaig and Leinster.
- Gordon D'Arcy - a professional rugby player who played for Ireland and Leinster.
See also
In Spanish: Ferns para niños
