Ferns Demesne

Area

268,552 m² (26.86 ha, 66.36 acres)

Buildings

4 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 1,549 m².

Zoning

No zone of a development plan covers it in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply.

Townland

Ferns Demesne

Planning applications on this parcel

No planning application touches this parcel in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Slaney River Valley SAC 000781

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 40 recorded monuments.

• WX015-003 Historic town
  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

• WX015-003001 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
  Description

  Situated on top of a low hill, but with wide views across north Co. Wexford. The castle was built on the site of a possible ringwork castle (WX015-003007-) in the early thirteenth century, probably in 1224-26 by William Marshall the younger who was in Ireland at the time as Justiciar, the principal government officer. The castle was captured by Irish forces in 1315-16, 1331 and in 1357-8 but it fell finally to the Kavanaghs in 1360, who held it for two centuries. They surrendered it to the royal authority in 1543, and in 1583 it was part of a grant to Sir Thomas Masterson. The Mastersons appear to have held the castle throughout the 1640's, but in 1649 they surrendered it to the Cromwellian general Coote. It has been virtually abandoned since then until it was conserved by the OPW. (Hore 1910) Only the SW and NE walls of a large keep (int. dims. c. 27.5m NW-SE; c. 18.5m NE-SW) with two drum towers remain. It was excavated by P. D. Sweetman (1979) who recovered the rock-cut fosse (Wth of top 5m; D 3.5m) with an entrance causeway at the S side and evidence of the curtain wall, a possible second entrance and a possible outer fosse on the E side. The walls at SE and SW may have been built on an earthen bank of a ringwork castle (WX015-003007-). Further evidence of the fosse was found (03E1813) on the NW side (McLoughlin 2006a), but excavation c. 20m to the SE (01E1182) failed to produce any related material (Tierney 2003). The keep has 3 storeys, but is lacking a cross-wall. There are cross-loops on the ground floor but there are larger trefoil windows on the upper floors. The SE tower contains a chapel with a groin-vaulted roof at the first floor. The castle is a National monument. (Stalley 1971, 26, pl. II; Adams 1904, 177–81; Harbison 1970, 247–8; Bradley and King 1990, 52-3) This is a National Monument in state guardianship: No. 521. 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/revision: 30 April, 2012 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/1968).

• WX015-003002 Church
  Description

  Located on a gentle E and NE-facing slope c. 150m from a small NW-SE stream. St. Aedan or Máedóg (Culleton 1999, 102-07, 135-6) or Maodhóg (Ó Rian 2011, 432-6), also known as Aidan, is the founder of a monastery at Ferns before his death in 624 on land granted 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. Ferns was selected as one of the five diocesan centres (WX015-003003-) in Leinster at the synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 AD, and it continues in this role to the present. The only evidence of the early monastery is in the four high crosses in the large graveyard. The crosses are fairly plain, but S of the cathedral the base (dims 1.4m x 1.15m) of a cross is supporting the bottom of a granite shaft (dims 0.57m x 0.34m; H 0.95m) decorated in fret-patterns. The heads of two other granite crosses were incorporated in the NW graveyard wall and another was in the graveyard (Anon. 1909-10). These are now re-erected W, NW and N of the Cathedral, although the bases might always have been in their present positions. They consist of the bases and heads of plain ringed crosses with mouldings on the edges. The head of the W cross (Wth 1.25m; H 1.2m; T0.32m) has no mounding on the E face. The NW cross (Wth 1.21m; H 1.1m; T 0.35m) is beside the graveyard wall, and the N cross (Wth 1.53m; H 1.4m; T 0.23m) is narrower than the others. A fifth granite cross, which might be a small high cross (H 1.1m; Wth 0.44m; T 0.3m) with an unpierced ringed head, and a granite cross-slab (dims. 1.1m x 0.44m; T 0.33m), are in the chapter house at the E end of the cathedral. (Harbison 1992, vol. 1, 89) An ecclesiastical enclosure (int. diam. c. 200m) suggested by the curved line of the N11 Gorey road on the NW edge of the graveyard and the road to the Harrow on its SW perimeter could have surrounded the early monastery. A magnetic gradiometry survey (15R042) recorded two parallel ditch features c. 45-60m apart E and S of the graveyard and centred on it (Dowling 2015, 8-9). The inner ditch (Wth c. 2m) is overlain by the remains of St Mary’s Augustinian abbey (WX015-003004-) while the outer feature (Wth c. 2-4m) is entangled with, and probably pre-dating an enclosure (int. diam. c. 65m NW-SE; c. 50m NE-SW) defined by interrupted sections of a fosse (Wth c. 3-4m) just SE of the abbey. This enclosure could have an entrance at SW leading to the open SW end of a double-aisled masonry structure (max. dims c. 12m NW-SE; c. 10m NE-SW) with a NE-SW diving wall (ibid. 9). Also recorded were ditch features of at least two isolated enclosures (dims c. 30m x c. 20m) that may have been animal pounds associated with the monastery, while other linear ditch features probably represent a post-medieval field system of rectangular fields. A NW-SE roadway (Wth c. 7m; L 100m plus) defined by parallel ditches running outside the NE edge of the graveyard might be associated with these (ibid. 9-10). This field system is extended to the area NE of the stream by ditch features recorded by a drone-mounted camera operated by Dinny Kinsella and Barry Lacey in July 2018, so the field system covers a known area of about 8 ha (c. 20 acres), and more than one period of field formation is probably represented. 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 revision: 22 February, 2019

• WX015-003003 Cathedral
  Description

  Situated towards the bottom of an E-facing slope. Ferns was established as a diocese at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 AD, and it continues in this role down to the present. The cathedral church of Ferns was built on the site of St Mogue's church (WX015-003002-) in the 13th century, probably by John St. John, the first Anglo-Norman bishop of the diocese (1223-1253). Burnt by Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne in 1575, it was restored by him in 1577, possibly in its present form. The diocesan centre may have been moved to St. Mary's, New Ross for a period after this. The church was re-vamped in 1817 when the present tower and the chapter house to the W were built (McFall 1954, 10). Within the present cathedral is the effigy of a bishop, who might be John St. John (Hunt 1974, vol. 1, 237–8), or Adam de Northampton who died in 1346 (Hore 1910, 300). The surviving architecture is difficult to interpret, but the original cathedral may have been of a great size. Hore (1900-11, vol. 6, 165-6) thought the present church was built on the W end of the centre aisle of the nave, and that the structure E of the present church was the original chancel (total L c. 60m). O'Byrne rebuilt the original E windows in the foreshortened cathedral. Clapham (1952, 36-9), followed by Leask (1955, vol. 2, 99-101) and McFall (1954, 10-13), thinks the present church is built on the chancel of the cathedral. In this view the medieval church was cruciform in plan with an aisled nave and an aisled chancel. Only sections of four piers from the chancel, a double piscina and parts of the E wall of the chancel survive with a double barrel-vault undercroft beneath the chancel. The central E window, which is five small lancets increasing in height towards the centre is not original, although the two flanking lancets and oval lights above them are illustrated in an Austin Cooper drawing of 1786 (ibid. 13). This drawing shows the old tower occupying the W end of the present church with the ruins of a S transept extending into the graveyard. In this case the original nave might extend W for an unknown length under the roadway. Only the central and E parts of the present cathedral with the attached columns from the aisles of the chancel displayed internally is original. The base of what was a crossing tower is incorporated into its W end, the chamfered angles of which are visible externally. The chancel of the present cathedral with the double barrel-vaulted crypt underneath is largely original, apart from the five central lancet windows. The structure E of the present chancel (int. dims. 12m plus E-W; 7.05m N-S) is aligned on the present church and was probably the original chapter house. It has evidence of seven lancet windows in the N wall and 6 in the S wall, but its floor level would be over 1m lower than that of the Cathedral. (Hore 1910–11, vol. 6, 168–9; McFall 1954; Harbison 1975, 247; Bradley and King 1990, 53-7) 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/revision: 30 April, 2012

• WX015-003004 Religious house - Augustinian canons
  Description

  Situated towards the bottom of an E-facing slope, and c. 50m S of the chapter house of Ferns cathedral (WX015-003003-). Dermot Mc Murrough founded St Mary's Abbey for Augustinian canons c. 1158-62, although it may have been earlier (O’Keeffe 1997, 63). It was burned in 1159 or 1166, but Dermot rebuilt it and he was buried there in 1171. The abbey was plundered and burnt again by Irish forces during the Bruce wars (c. 1317). The position of abbot was hotly disputed in the mid-15th century. William Doyle was the last abbot at its suppression in 1538 when it was described as a church and belfry, dormitory, chapter-house, hall and other buildings with c. 600 acres and other interests. In 1583 it was granted to Thomas Masterson. (Gwynne and Hadcock, 1970, 175-6) The N wall of the nave (ext. dims 16.4m E-W; c. 9m N-S) and chancel (ext. dims 6.35m E-W; 6.67m N-S) survive to the full height (c. 5m) with the foundations of the other walls. A round tower with a square base (Barrow 1979, 196) is attached to the W wall of the nave. It is entered from the nave and a newel stairs rises to a doorway overhead probably leading to a gallery. Above the roof level the tower is round and divided into two levels, the upper with four square lights (Anon. 1864-8, 132). A sacristy with a room overhead beneath an E-W barrel-vault is attached to the N of the chancel. There is ribbed vaulting in the chancel and round-headed recesses in the chancel and the sacristy. The original entrance was probably at the W where the base of a column with two orders is visible at the angle of the nave and tower. Two crude cross-bases are now within the nave. There is no evidence of an enclosure or burial but evidence of the cloister garth (dims c. 21.6m E–W; c. 19.75m N–S) was uncovered in the 19th century attached to the S (Anon. 1909–10, 4–5). A geophysical survey (15R052) comprising magnetic gradiometry and limited electrical resistance in an area of about 4 ha (c. 10 acres) around the remains produced evidence of the cloister and a field system (ME015-003034-) (Dowling 2015, 10). The abbey is built over the inner of two ditches recorded in the survey that form an ecclesiastical enclosure (wx015-003031-) around the early monastery (WX015-003002-) (ibid. 9). Just SE of the abbey the same survey recorded evidence of an enclosure (WX015-003032-) around a masonry structure (WX015-003033-). This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 133. 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. Cmpiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 22 February, 2019

• WX015-003005 Church
  Description

  St Peter's church might be the parish church of Ferns and it is at the N edge of a small D-shaped graveyard (dims. c. 30m E-W; c. 25m N-S) defined by masonry walls. It is situated on a slight bluff overlooking a NW-SE stream c. 100m to the SW with the Cathedral (WX015-003002-) c. 250m to the SW. This is a nave (int. dims. 10.8m E-W; 7.15m N-S) and chancel (int. dims. 6.1m E-W; 5.6m N-S) church that is complete except for the W wall and portions of other walls of the nave. Investigations at the time of its conservation uncovered the original W wall showing that the nave was longer (int. dim. c. 14.6m) (Anon. 1910-1, 5-6). The church has a plain rounded chancel arch (Wth 5m) and two lancet windows at the E end of the chancel. There are small niches in the N, E and S chancel walls. A lancet window in the S wall of chancel has a round-headed embrasure in a green stone decorated with chevrons, probably taken from Clone church (WX015-023001-) c. 2.7km to the SSW. (Harbison 1975, 247) This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 133. 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/revision: 30 April, 2012

• WX015-003006 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Located at the bottom of a NE-facing slope and c. 30m from the W bank of a NW-SE stream. It is described as St Mogue's Well on the 1840 and 1924 eds of the OS 6-inch map, and is now located under the Ferns to Gorey road (N11). It was enclosed in 1847 when a stone head from Clone church (WX015-023001-) was incorporated into the masonry superstructure (O'Broin 1983-4, 33-4). It is now inaccessible, but steps lead down from the road to a lintelled passage (L 1.05m; Wth 0.62m; H 1.2m) that leads to a higher barrel-vaulted passage (L 1.65m; Wth 1.05m) with the well, a circular, stone-lined pool (diam. c. 0.65m) at the end. A channel from the well now leads to an open well c. 25m to the NE. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 April, 2012

• WX015-003007 Castle - ringwork
  Description

  Dermot MacMurrough's house which was burnt in 1166 (Hore 1910, 299) may have been a ringwork castle and was probably located at the site of the present castle. Evidence of an earthen rampart which was probably stone-faced is visible under the E and S walls of the later castle (WX015-003001-) and the SE angle tower which are built on it (Sweetman 1979, 218). 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/revision: 30 April, 2012

• WX015-003008 Graveyard
  Description

  St. Aedan or Moedoc (Mogue), is probably the founder of a monastery at Ferns before his death in 624 on land granted by Brandubh, whom he had aided in battle (Shearman 1874-5, 525-9). The only evidence of the early monastery is in the four high crosses in the large, wedge-shaped graveyard (dims c. 110m N-S; c. 60-100m E-W) defined by masonry walls, and the curved boundaries in its vicinity. A fragment of a graveslab was identified in the graveyard in 2013. An ecclesiastical enclosure could have had a diam. of c. 200m with the curved line of the N11 Gorey road on its NW edge and the road to the Harrow on its SW edge. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 18 June, 2013

• WX015-003009 Cross - High cross
  Description

  The heads of two granite crosses were incorporated in the NW graveyard wall and another was in the graveyard (Anon. 1909-10). They are now re-erected W, NW and N of the Cathedral, although the bases might always have been in their present positions. They consist of the bases and heads of plain ringed crosses with mouldings on the edges. The head of the W cross (Wth 1.25m; H 1.2m; T 0.32m) has no mouding on the E face and is situated W of the Cathedral chapter-house. (Harbison 1992, vol. 1, 89) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 April, 2012

And 30 more.

Architectural heritage

• Saint Edan's, farmyard complex, 1785–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Farmyard complex, extant 1840, on a quadrangular plan including (north): Attached nine-bay single-storey outbuilding with half-attic on a symmetrical plan centred on three-bay full-height pedimented breakfront. In alternative use, 1939-57. Renovated, ----. Hipped slate roof centred on pitched (gabled) slate roof with lichen-covered clay ridge tiles, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered red brick header bond eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Repointed rubble stone wall (breakfront) on cut-granite chamfered plinth with repointed flush quoins to corners supporting lichen-spotted monolithic pediment; replacement roughcast surface finish (remainder) with replacement cement rendered surface finish to courtyard (south) elevation. Round-headed central carriageway with repointed red brick voussoirs framing timber boarded double doors. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and repointed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing replacement casement windows retaining some one-over-one timber sash windows; (south): Attached seven-bay single-storey coach house-cum-stable outbuilding with half-attic on a symmetrical plan. In alternative use, 1939-57. Now disused. Hipped slate roof with lichen-covered clay ridge tiles, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered red brick header bond eaves. Lime rendered wall to courtyard (north) elevation; red brick Flemish bond surface finish to rear (south) elevation. Series of seven elliptical-headed carriageways with granite ashlar voussoirs centred on cut-granite keystones framing concrete block infill. Square-headed window openings (half-attic) with cut-granite sills, and concealed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing part concrete block infill. Set in unkempt grounds originally shared with Saint Edan's.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Ground and risks

Radon

At the centre of this parcel, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

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Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.