St Aidan’s settlement: Finding evidence of medieval Ferns

In the year AD 580, St Aidan crossed the Irish Sea from St Davids in Pembrokeshire (where he had been studying as St David’s favourite pupil) to Rosslare in County Wexford. Eighteen years later, he established a new monastery at Ferns, in the same county. This grew to become one of south-east Ireland’s most important settlements, a seat of royal power and the site of an Augustinian abbey. Little was known about the early history, however, until the Irish Archaeology Field School launched a major research project in June 2021. With commendable speed, the first fruits of that research have just been published, as Chris Catling reports.

The project to discover more about medieval Ferns was set up by the Irish Archaeology Field School (IAFS), which provides opportunities for students and volunteers to take part in all aspects of archaeological survey, excavation, and research, with a strong teaching element. The excavations are largely funded by those who take part, typically paying £5,000 (which includes meals, tuition, and field trips) for a four-week programme. Participants also earn credits towards their degree studies in archaeology and anthropology.

Laser-scanning the Anglo-Norman castle at Ferns, built by William, Earl Marshal, around AD 1200. Only half of the square castle now stands. The most complete of the four corner towers contains a circular chapel, original fireplaces, and a vaulted basement. Photo: Michael ‘Bodhi’ Rogers

The location of Ferns within Ireland. Image: base map © ESRI; © OpenStreetMap

Partnership with the local community is an important component of any IAFS programme. Students stay with local families, and the host community takes part in the fieldwork and the interpretation of the results based on their local knowledge. The results are intended to enable the community to tell a compelling story about their town, too, and to reinforce its importance as a key heritage attraction in the region.

A plan of Ferns showing the principal medieval sites. Image: base map © ESRI; © OpenStreetMap

Further funding and active support for the Ferns project came from the Ancient Connections partnership, which ran from 2019 to 2023 and brought together Pembrokeshire County Council, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Wexford County Council, and Visit Wexford in an initiative to encourage heritage-based tourism on both sides of the Irish Sea.

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