To celebrate National Heritage Week, we have organised the following events:
Tuesday, August 22nd
Ferns Heritage Project Group presentation in Gorey Library. Entitled ”From Ancient Capital of Leinster to Norman Invasion – Ferns, its past still in evidence’.
Venue: Gorey Library at 7.30pm
Wednesday, August 23rd
Guided tour of Ferns Village Heritage Trail – meet at the St. Edan’s Cathedral car park at 3pm. Ferns Heritage Project Group is organising a guided walking tour of the Ferns Village Heritage Trail on Wednesday, August 23rd – meet at St. Edan’s Cathedral at 3pm. Hear about Ferns’ central role in Wexford’s medieval history, its significant ecclesiastical past from the coming of St. Aidan in 6th century. Walk in the footsteps of kings and saints, visit monuments commemorating 1798 and 1916 rebellions. A range of sites of interest reflecting Ferns rich history, high crosses, ruins of 13th century cathedral, a 12th century abbey, a Norman Castle, the Ferns Tapestries in Ferns Castle Visitor Centre and the smallest cathedral in Europe. The tour will take approximately 1 hr 30mins. All welcome. Contact: [email protected] to find out more.
Thursday, August 24th
Lecture & Site Visit: Dr. Edel Bhreathnach, CEO, The Discovery Programme will give a lecture entitled ‘The Changing landscape of Ferns in the 11th – 13th century. Venue: St. Mogue’s Cottage, Ferns at 3pm. This will be followed by a site visit to area around St. Mary’s Abbey where a geophysical survey is to be conducted by The Discovery Programme. Rain or shine the lecture will take place in St. Mogue’s Cottage!
The geophysical survey is being conducted by The Discovery Programme in partnership with the Department of Archaeology and Natural Sciences, NUI Galway. It is a continuation of a survey conducted in 2015 and the aim of the survey is to deepen our knowledge of the late medieval and early modern development. The Ferns Heritage Project Group wishes to thank the Irish Heritage Council for funding received for this 2017 survey.