Ferns Church / Cathedral / Crosses / Abbey

The Augustinian abbey, founded in 1160 by king of Leinster, Diarmuid Mc Murrough, enhanced the ecclesiastical importance of Ferns with a monastery founded by St. Máedóg before 624. The cathedral, built by John Cumin, the first Anglo-Norman archbishop, dates to the 13^th century. The cathedral was burned in 1575 by Fiach Mach Hugh, who subsequently had it rebuilt to its present form in 1577.

Diarmuid Mc Murrough founded St. Mary’s Abbey for Augustinian canons, between 1158 and 1162. St. Mary’s was burned in 1166 but was rebuilt, and in 1171 Diarmuid Mc Murrough was buried here. The burial site is believed to be marked by the remains of a high cross. This high cross consists of a half shaft with fret pattern decoration. The abbey was again burned during the Bruce wars, circa 1317. The last abbot was William Doyle in 1538 and the abbey consisted of 600 acres, a chapter-house, hall, dormitory, church and belfry. The wall of the nave and chancel still exists today, with a round tower with square base attached to the north wall of the nave. A sacristy is attached to the north wall of the chancel. Ribbed vaulting and round-headed recesses are found in both the chancel and sacristy. The remnants of two crosses are now lying in the nave.

The high crosses are found within the present day St. Edan’s Cathedral. The north high cross is 1.4m tall and its head is narrower than the others. It is a plain ringed cross with mouldings at the edges. The north-west high cross is inside the graveyard wall and is 1.1m tall. It is also an example of a plain ringed cross with mouldings at the edges. The west high cross, with no moulding on its east face, is 1.2m tall.

St Peter’s Church stands 250m south-west of the cathedral. It is known as a nave and chancel church. The chancel is plain with a rounded arch and has two lancet windows. Within the chancel walls are small niches. The Romanesque window in the south wall, with its green stone decorated with chevrons, is most likely from Clone Church.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014