Medieval Ferns Experience

About the museum

Ferns was the ancient capital of Leinster. A monastic settlement was founded here by St Aidan in the early seventh century, and from the 11th and 12th centuries the Kings of Leinster ruled from Ferns. Their story includes Diarmait Mac Murchada, whose role in bringing the Normans to Ireland is still debated, and the Norman knights who built the castle that stands in the village.

The Medieval Ferns Experience is a community initiative of the Ferns Community Development Association, run as a social enterprise. It opened as a visitor attraction in Ferns Community Centre to tell this medieval story in an interactive way. A mix of virtual reality, sensory displays and audio-visual presentations leads visitors through the monastery, the Gaelic kings and the Norman conquest.

Among the features are a virtual reality experience, a sensory area, a figure of a Brehon lawyer and an inauguration stone challenge, in which visitors can test whether they are fit to be a king. Local volunteers also offer a one-hour guided walking tour of the main medieval sites in the village, which must be booked in advance.

Highlights

• Virtual reality experience of medieval Ferns
• Sensory area and Brehon lawyer display
• Inauguration stone challenge
• Guided walking tour of medieval sites
• Story of Diarmait Mac Murchada and St Aidan

Permanent exhibition

• Medieval Ferns Experience – An interactive exhibition with virtual reality, a sensory area and audio-visual displays on the monastery of St Aidan, the Gaelic kings of Leinster and the Normans.

Operated by

Ferns Community Development Association

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The experience is interactive, with a virtual reality display, a sensory area and a stone challenge.

Getting there & parking

Ferns lies on the R722 between Gorey and Enniscorthy. From the M11, take exit 24 for Camolin and Ferns if driving south and exit 25 if driving north. The experience is in Ferns Community Centre on Upper Main Street.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit