Historic Ferns

16/10/2026

Fantastic discovery. A 180-metre-wide enclosure discovered at Limbrick, near Kilanerin, may date to the Late Neolithic or Bronze Age.

https://www.independent.ie/county/wexford/wexford-archaeological-dig-uncovers-huge-enclosure-that-could-date-back-5000-years/a/161524456.html

29/09/2026

Another fantastic archive photo of Lower Main Street, Ferns (c1890)
Original image courtesy of (www.nli.ie) Wexford Historical Society

28/09/2026

Fantastic archive photo of Lower Main Street, Ferns (c1890)
Original image courtesy of (www.nli.ie)

27/09/2026

WHERE THE SLANEY REMEMBERS

A beautiful new short film that brings Wexford's past to life through the voices of local people.

The film follows the River Slaney from Bunclody to Scarawalsh Bridge where archaeologist Barry Lacey of Slaneyside Heritage meets locals along the way who share the stories, incidents and people from the past that have been passed down through generations.

This isn't a film about big historical events — it's about the small, personal, local stories that connect us to the river and to the place we call home. The memories that have been handed down and still live on along the banks of the Slaney.

A really reflective and evocative piece of local history — well worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go92PYMKpDo

Wexford Historical Society Wexford County Council

03/09/2026

There was a fantastic turnout for the Heritage Week talk at St Edan's Cathedral — and no one was left disappointed.

Unlocking the Secrets of St Edan’s Cathedra gave us a fascinating insight into the hidden history of the cathedral, as part of a Heritage Council funded project to develop a Conservation Management Plan.

The talk and tour were led by Conservation Engineer Ivor McElveen and Archaeologist Ronan O’Flaherty, who encouraged us to look at the cathedral in a whole new light as they revealed some of the secrets held within its ancient stones.

While many knew the current cathedral is much smaller than the original 13th century building, the sheer scale of what once stood at Ferns was a real eye-opener for a lot of people. When the footprint was shown to be similar in size to St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny, it completely changed how we see a building we’ve all passed so many times before.
St Edan’s Cathedral and the Ferns Union of Parishes The Heritage Council

20/08/2026

Unlocking the secrets of St. Edan’s cathedral.

Another great local event taking place during

‘Fresh Eyes on Old Stones:
Unlocking the secrets of St Edan's
Cathedral, Ferns’

The modest 19th century appearance of St Edan’s Cathedral in Ferns belies a history which stretches back 800 years. However there are clues to that sometimes troubled history still to be found in the fabric of the building which survives today…if you know where to look!

In this guided tour, led by archaeologist Ronan O’Flaherty and conservation specialist Ivor McElveen, St Edan’s gradually reveals its secrets - and you may be surprised by what you learn.

Presented by The Cathedral Church of St Edan’s Ferns, as part of its outreach programme in connection with the preparation of a new Conservation Management Plan for the church, funded by The Heritage Council

St Edan’s Cathedral and the Ferns Union of Parishes North Wexford Historical Society Heritage Week fans Slaneyside Heritage Wexford County Council Historic Ferns @

20/08/2026

‘Care and conservation of historic graveyards’
Join archaeologist Barry Lacey of Slaneyside Heritage for a very informative guided tour exploring the rich heritage of historic graveyards and how best to care for and conserve them.

📆 Saturday 22nd August 2026

⏰ 10.30am

📍Ferns ‘Old Graveyard’

St Edan’s Cathedral and the Ferns Union of Parishes Slaneyside Heritage North Wexford Historical Society The Heritage Council Heritage Week Ferns Tidy Towns

15/08/2026

The Ferns Old Graveyard Steering Group were thrilled with the turnout this morning for ‘The Story Behind the Stones’ with archaeologist Barry Lacey.

A brilliant talk and tour, and part of the The Heritage Council funded project to map and record the headstones in the old graveyard.