Europe
Ireland
Province of Leinster
County Wexford
Enniscorthy
Ferns
Things to do in Ferns
Ferns Castle
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Ferns Castle

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Ferns Castle
4.5
About
The castle was built in the 13th century, possibly by William, Earl Marshall. Originally, the castle formed a square, with large corner towers. Only half of the castle now remains.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
314 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
47
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
1
jessie
70 contributions
Only if you are in town already
Sep 2023 • Couples
Ferns Castle is a bit underwhelming. It takes all of a few minutes to visit. On the bright side its free. If you are in town it's alright for a few minutes. Would not take a detour to visit.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeanDublin m
Bray, Ireland179 contributions
Ferns Castle - A Historic Must See
Aug 2023 • Couples
Excellent Historic Castle set in the lovely small town of Ferns in County Wexford.
We had a fantastic tour of the Castle with Katie the OPW guide. She was full of great stories about the people who lived here and the importance of this superb work of Norman ingenuity.
It's definitely a Must See Tourist Attraction in the Sunny South East and it's all Free. So go enjoy our history in this wonderful Castle. Thank you Katie for giving us a great experience today.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mary b
Ferns, Ireland2 contributions
Excellent guided tour
Jul 2022 • Solo
Recently attended a guided tour of Ferns Castle delivered by tour guide Glen, really engaging and informative. Would highly recommend.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland8,860 contributions
Not Much Remains but Still a Pleaant Visit.
Oct 2021 • Solo
Not a lot remains of this imposing 13th century castle but it still nakes for a pleasant stroll. It was once square shaped but only half now stands.
In season there are guided tours but sadly, October is not included in said season. Tours finish in September!
The tower is in excellent condition but that's largely it. The moat still stands beneath the surviving walls. Yiu can walk around the ruin and there's an information panel to Inform you.
To be fair, I'd like to return in season snd do the tour as the castle is Intruiging.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donal O Duibhir
2 contributions
Larry helped us time travel in to the castle and beyond!
Sep 2021
The first time we visited we didn't avail of the background chat/tour from staff *but* the second time we visited (with a parent) and we had the fortune to engage with Larry. Larry brought the site *alive* with an energetic and passionate insight into the history and lore of, not just of the castle, but the context, the colours, and the craft over the centuries (both nationally and internationally). Basically, Larry made the experience for us.

This is a hidden gem. It's free, it's mostly accessible at ground level, and it's the humans that bring it alive for young and old alike. If only there was increased funding to do for this castle what was done for the Dunbrody famine ship experience with live actors! Imagine part of the inside of the castle rebuilt, with some original colours on the outside, and live actors going about their business (including interacting with visitors at certain times of the day or at weekends). Larry could be your amazing time-traveling tour guide, a bridge to the "locals" :)
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward M
Dublin, Ireland1 contribution
Ferns Castle
Sep 2021 • Family
Went to Ferns in Co. Wexford to visit the castle and the old COI graveyard. The castle guides (Larry and Chris) were excellent. Well worth a visit.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pól Ó
12 contributions
Living History
Sep 2021
Hearing a live summary of the history of the castle and its importance in Irish history from Larry. He brought the castle alive in front of our eyes. He knows it all and is very enthusiastic in telling you about it. A visit you won't forget in a hurry;
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waterfordian
Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland117 contributions
Thoroughly enjoyable visit
Aug 2021 • Couples
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ferns Castle today. Although the visitor centre and Castle interior are closed due to Covid restrictions, the guides Christine and Larry, were extremely friendly and happy to provide information and answer any questions we had. They gave us several recommendations of other things to see in Ferns and couldn't have been more helpful. We will definitely return when the castle reopens.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deirdre C
Trim, Ireland19 contributions
Great visit
Jul 2021 • Couples
Looking up things to do while in wexford decided to pop out to ferns Castle and delighted we did
On entering we meet Larry what a man to give you the history of the castle
I live in a town with a norman castle and never heard the connection before what a lovely piece of history explained in detail will definitely be back when the castle is open 4 visitors to enter I have to see the preserved Tower now all because I now know its history thanks Larry you are a real asset
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Breda L
11 contributions
Hidden gem
Jun 2021 • Couples
On going through Ferns a few weeks ago we decided to go up to have a look at the castle. We were amazed at how well developed and well kept the site was. We were greeted by Larry who asked if we would like to hear about the history around the castle and we were blown away by his knowledge and enthusiasm. The whole experience completely exceeded our expectations. We live locally in Gorey but like others who have left reviews we had never stopped in before. This place and Larry’s knowledge literally brings history to life and pieces everything together. Anyone looking for the history of the Irish state - this is where you should start!
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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FERNS CASTLE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Ferns Castle