Ferns Community Development Association (FCDA)

Ferns Community Development Association (FCDA)  is a voluntary community group representing the interests of the community and businesses in Ferns and its hinterland. Established in 1963 as Ferns Development Association, it became a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) in December 2020.  CLG status will ensure transparency and good governance procedures are complied with, particularly in relation to funding.  The Association has engaged in a range of activities and projects over the years.  Cross community participation is encouraged, with a wide range of groups and clubs represented on the FCDA Committee.

Liaising with public authorities at local and national level to improve infrastructure, enhance the social, cultural and visual appearance of the village, supporting community and businesses and promoting Ferns as a tourism destination are core to the activities of the Ferns Development Association and its sub-groups.

Activities

Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2018

Under the current round of Town and Village Renewal Scheme, we have a number of projects designed to develop Ferns tourism potential.     Projects within the scheme include:  a Castle themed playground at the back of Ferns Community Centre which will benefit locals and enhance the visitor experience and will act a visual reminder of the value of our medieval heritage to our community.  An interpretative space/tourist office in the Community Centre will ensure a year-round tourism offering as part of a social enterprise model.   Other projects under this scheme include a Tourism Development Plan; website upgrade; and music mentoring and craft workshops which will enhance the visitor experience.

Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2016

As you walk through the village, you will see evidence of the first Town & Village Renewal Scheme that Ferns benefited from.  A nod to our medieval past is visible with the Norman helmets dotted throughout the village, each highlighting an aspect of Ferns history.  Three giant murals bring characters from the medieval period to life and add a splash of colour to the streets.

Ferns Village Heritage Trail

This trail brings you to a range of heritage sites throughout the village. Evidence of Ferns’ historic past can be seen along this route, bringing you from 6th century up to 1916. The trail is a member of the Wexford Trails network, a countywide series of tourism trails which include Wexford Craft Trail, Wexford Garden Trail, Wexford Heritage Trail and Wexford Walking Trail. The Ferns Village Heritage Trail is a member of both the Wexford Heritage Trail and the Wexford Walking Trail.

Promotional Materials

Heritage Flyer
The flyer details in text and pictures the various heritage features in our historic village. The flyer can be obtained as a pdf download Download the Ferns Heritage Brochure (may take a couple of minutes due to size) here or as a hard copy from local shops and other outlets throughout Co. Wexford.

Website & Social Media
We are active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as “Ferns Village and here on our website fernsvillage.ie. We aim to include all aspects of village life here in Ferns on our website. If you know of any club, gorup, or business that would like to be included here, please contact us through the form below.

Campaigns

N11 Campaign

In 2019/20 FDA  co-ordinated a campaign, in collaboration with Camolin Community Development Association, to reverse the downgrading of the N11 (now by-passed) to 80km/h speed limit from the previous 100km/h.  In consultation with public representatives and  Wexford County Council, agreement was reached to put in place a process of changing the relevant bye-laws to re-instate a 100km/h speed limit where appropriate. The speed limit was reinstated to 100km/h in sections of the old N11 in July 2020.

 Road Signage

The location of Ferns is very poorly described in road signage; this arises from National Roads Authority policy which we will seek to change.

Ferns Community Development Association – Sub Groups