Things to do in Ferns
Attractions, heritage sites and walks around Ferns, drawn from open data. Distances are straight-line from the town centre.
In brief
Ferns is a Co. Wexford town about 86 km from Dublin city centre. Open datasets list eight Fáilte Ireland visitor attractions within 10 km, four national monuments open to visitors within 20 km, one nationally rated heritage building in the town. Everything below comes from published sources, refreshed regularly.
Attractions near Ferns
Visitor attractions listed by Fáilte Ireland within 10 km.
- A cathedral was built here in the 13th century probably by John Saint John, the first English bishop of Ferns, d. 1243. It stood within the bounds of the monastery…
- Cois na hAbhann Garden Centre, in Camolin, County Wexford is A Bord Bia 5 star garden centre, offering a complete range of beautiful high quality plants and more.
- Fat Tomato is a living, edible garden in County Wexford, growing over 500 heritage and organic varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers chosen for…
- This Centre, in Ferns County Wexford, is the original farmstead where Father Murphy the 1798 Insurgent Leader lived for many years.
- Visit the Medieval Ferns Experience in Ferns, County Wexford, and become immersed in fascinating tales of power and intrigue, featuring saints, Gaelic kings and…
- Ferns Castle, located in The Square, Ferns, County Wexford, is an Anglo-Norman fortress dating back to 1220. The castle has a magnificent vaulted ceiling, considered…
- Ballymore is a 300 year old family property in a picturesque part of north Wexford. It displays numerous outdoor historical features to walk around, as well as indoor…
- The Village at Wheelock’s provides a café, woodland walk, playground, space for seasonal events and private parties and free parking. Visitors can pick their own…
Heritage and monuments
National monuments open to visitors within 20 km, plus nationally rated buildings in Ferns from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
- The earliest cathedral was built here at the beginning of the 13th century by John St John, Bishop of Ferns between 1223-1243.
- In 1162, a new Augustinian monastery was founded at Ferns by Diarmait MacMurrough. Only parts of the church and the vaulted chancel survive today.
- It is believed that in the middle of the 12th century a castle built by Diarmait MacMurrough stood on the site of the present stone castle.
- This curious church has a number of early features; however it appears that it was actually constructed towards the end of the 16th century.
Walks and nature
Waymarked trails from Sport Ireland's National Trails Register and NPWS parks and nature reserves, starting near Ferns and across Co. Wexford.
- The North Slob polders by Wexford Harbour, winter home to a third of the world's Greenland white-fronted geese, with a visitor centre and hides.
- The Raven Nature ReserveA planted pine forest on a sand spit north of Curracloe, fringed by dunes and a long beach.
- Ballyteigue Burrow Nature ReserveA nine-kilometre sand-dune system on the south Wexford coast, rich in dune flora.
Plan around Ferns
- What's on across Leinster this week, refreshed every Monday.
- Thinking of moving here? Living in Ferns covers prices, rents and schools. Median sale price €325,000.
- See every nationally rated heritage building and monument in our heritage guide to Co. Wexford.
Attraction data from Fáilte Ireland Open Data (CC BY 4.0), last refreshed 13 July 2026. Monuments from the National Monuments Service and heritage buildings from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (both data.gov.ie, CC BY 4.0). Trails from Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Parks and reserves from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Opening hours and admission can change; check the linked site before travelling.