Living in Ferns, Co. Wexford: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Ferns
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Ferns
- Schools in Ferns
- Things to do in and around Ferns
- Where Ferns is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Ferns
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Ferns
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Ferns
- Nearby Wexford towns
- Population and demographics
Is Ferns a nice place to live?
Ferns is home to about 514 households, 51% owner-occupied and 43% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €335,000, versus €345,000 across the South-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,127 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 5 schools keyed to the town (5 primary), and there are 8 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Enniscorthy, 10.6 km away, and 3 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Ferns is a town in Co. Wexford, about 82 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 5 schools, 51.0% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €335,000 to buy or €1,127 a month to rent (RTB Q3 2025).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 29 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Ferns: 51.0% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Ferns
1,317 people live in Ferns on Census 2022 night. 51% of households own their home and 43% rent, so Ferns leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (57%). 20% are under 15 and 16% are aged 65 and over. 23% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 1,317 |
| Owner-occupied households | 51% |
| Rented households | 43% |
| Aged under 15 | 20% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 27% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16% |
| Third level or higher | 23% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 49% |
| Unemployment rate | 10% |
| Commute by car | 57% |
| Commute by public transport | 14% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 21% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Ferns built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Enniscorthy (10.6 km away), on the Rosslare line
Public transport serving Ferns: 3 operators
Getting around Ferns
Ferns is served by 3 public-transport operators running 3 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann, Dunnes Coaches and Wexford Bus.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Dunnes Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Wexford Bus | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 2 - Dublin Airport - Gorey - Wexford
- 740 - Wexford - Dublin Airport
- IW07 - Gorey - Carlow
Source: Transport for Ireland GTFS_All feed (NTA), CC-BY 4.0. Stops matched to the town within a 6 km radius; route list capped.
Schools in Ferns
There are 5 primary schools in and around Ferns, 2 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naomh Maodhog N.S. | Primary | 285 | DEIS |
| Ballyduff N S | Primary | 79 | |
| Camolin N S | Primary | 75 | DEIS |
| Tombrack N S | Primary | 54 | |
| St Edans N S | Primary | 39 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Ferns
- Heritage nearby: Ferns Cathedral and High Crosses (0 km) · Ferns Abbey (0 km) · Ferns Castle (0 km) · St. Peter's Church, Ferns (0 km)
- Walking trails in County Wexford: Clody Valley Craan Loop · Clody Valley Long Lane Loop · Abbey Wood Trail · Annagh Hill Turnaround Trail
- Nature reserves: Wexford Wildfowl Reserve · The Raven Nature Reserve · Ballyteigue Burrow Nature Reserve
Where Ferns is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Ferns
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €335,000 (+15.5% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q3 2025) | €1,127 |
| Gross rental yield | n/a |
| Net yield (est.) | n/a |
| Wexford county median | €345k |
| New build / second-hand | n/a / €335,000 |
What this means: Ferns's rent figure is the last published RTB quarter (Q3 2025). RTB has not yet published a more recent quarter for this town.
Recent sales in Ferns
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 26 | BOLACHOIR, FERNS, CO WEXFORD | Second-hand | €430,000 |
| 02 Sep 26 | DELAFORD, BALLYBOY, FERNS | Second-hand | €435,000 |
| 28 Aug 26 | MONAGEAR, FERNS, WEXFORD | Second-hand | €180,000 |
| 26 Aug 26 | BALLYBEG, FERNS, ENNISCORTHY | Second-hand | €545,000 |
| 28 Jul 26 | 19 BERRYFIELDS, FERNS, WEXFORD | Second-hand | €280,000 |
| 10 Jul 26 | 29 BERRYFIELDS, FERNS, CO. WEXFORD | Second-hand | €342,000 |
| 12 Jun 26 | 8 ASHFIELD, TOMBRACK, FERNS | Second-hand | €330,000 |
| 04 Jun 26 | MONAGEAR, FERNS, WEXFORD | Second-hand | €461,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Ferns median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €242,000 | 41 sales | |
| 2024 | €280,000 | 23 sales | |
| 2025 | €300,000 | 30 sales | |
| 2026 | €335,000 | 17 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Ferns
Since 1 March 2026 a rent review is capped at the lower of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation.
The full March 2026 rent review rules
Ferns compared with County Wexford
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Wexford median | 345000 | |
| Ferns | 335000 |
Rent or buy in Ferns?
At a glance: €335,000 to buy versus €1,127 a month to rent (RTB Q3 2025).
Local Property Tax in Ferns
The median home (€335,000) falls in LPT Band 3, a base charge of €333 a year before Wexford County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Ferns: the March 2026 rent rules
Every rent increase is now capped at the lesser of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation, nationwide since 1 March 2026. A review needs 90 days' notice on the RTB form, no more than one in any 12 months, and the notice must cite three comparable homes from the RTB Rent Register. Check any rent increase against the legal cap, or see average rents for every Leinster town.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Ferns
In the 12 months to September 2026, 36 planning grants were recorded in and around Ferns, including 15 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-26 | Permission for the erection of three no. 2 storey (two bedroomed) | 3 |
| 2026-02-20 | Permission to demolish an existing dwelling and erect 2 no. dwellings | 2 |
| 2026-09-02 | Permission to replace existing fire damaged dwelling house with a new dwelling | 1 |
| 2026-07-03 | Permission for retention of works completed to date to existing dwelling house | 1 |
| 2026-07-03 | Permission for the demolition of an existing derelict dwelling house | 1 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 15 homes approved here in the last year are about 3% of Ferns's roughly 514 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Ferns, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Ferns, Wexford.
View the official OPW flood maps for Ferns →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 163,919 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +9.5% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 89.3 |
| New dwelling permissions (South-East region, 2017) | 292 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Wexford towns
Gorey · Rosslare · Bunclody · Mulgannon · Wexford · Enniscorthy
All Wexford house prices · All Leinster house prices
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Ferns
What's it like to live in Ferns?
Ferns is a town in Co. Wexford, about 82 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 5 schools, 51.0% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Ferns?
A home in Ferns costs a median €335,000 to buy or €1,127 a month to rent (RTB Q3 2025) (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Ferns to Dublin?
About 82 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Ferns?
Schools in Ferns include Naomh Maodhog N.S., Ballyduff N S, Camolin N S, Tombrack N S, among 5 primary and 0 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Ferns?
Ferns had a population of 1,317 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Ferns had a population of 1,317 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 1,317 |
|---|---|
| Households | 514 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51% |
| Rented homes | 43% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
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Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 17 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €335,000.
Could a home in Ferns pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Ferns's median price and average rent (RTB Q3 2025). Change any figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
What can you afford to buy in Ferns?
Pre-filled with Ferns's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Ferns property
Pre-filled with Ferns's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Ferns home
Pre-filled with Ferns's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Ferns
Pre-filled with Ferns's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
What a month in Ferns costs
Real figures for Ferns: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q3 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Ferns's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
More on Ferns
- Ferns house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Ferns: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Wexford: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Wexford: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.