History Ferns Cathedral

surviving ruin of medieval chancel

the building burnt down in elizabethan times o byrnes of wicklow, , small portion of ruins remain. although queen elizabeth of england ordered rebuilt, section of quire restored. subsequently further altered in 1800s. of surviving medieval fabric blind arcading of chancel of particular note north , south lancets , viscae of east wall. central lancets conjectural restoration. there fine medieval episcopal effigy font , remains of pillars of quire arcade seen in walls west of new chancel arch. eighteenth or nineteenth century west tower may on site of crossing of mediaeval cathedral. earlier belief present cathedral part of nave of older building based on existence of remains of separate medieval church, on same axis, way east. chancel arcade , eastern lancets challenge conjecture marked difference of floor level which, in eastern fragment, metres lower.

richard de clare, 2nd earl of pembroke (of first creation), lord of leinster, justiciar of ireland (1130 – 20 april 1176), commonly known strongbow (french: arc-fort), said have been interred @ ferns cathedral, there no evidence this, , giraldus cambrensis, contemporary eyewitness, notes buried within sight of cross @ christ church cathedral in dublin.