Re-thatching ancient Wexford cottage set to cost €40,000

St Mogue's Cottage, situated on the R772, is a landmark building at the entrance to Ferns Village. It has its origins in the late 18th century and also features a 19th century addition. The Cottage is a distinctive part of the architectural heritage of Ferns village and was once a girls' school at some stage in the 19th century. It was also used as a curate's residence at other times before it latterly was a dwelling house up until the 1990s. It then fell into disuse and began to dilapidate.

Since its restoration it has been the centre of operations for the Ferns Community Employment Scheme and, as a building belonging to the Church of Ireland Ferns Union of Parishes, it has been used for Parish and Diocesan activities.

St Mogue's Cottage was thatched in 1999 as part of the renovations to the building at that time. Although the building has been well-maintained by both the parish and the Community Employment Scheme, 25 years later, it is in need of re-thatching.

The total cost of re-thatching will be over €40,000 and €15,000 was awarded as a grant from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2024.

Dean Paul Mooney, the current Dean of St Edan's Cathedral said: "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances our thatcher is unable to take up the job of re-thatching St Mogue's Cottage this year so we are currently reapplying for the 2025 Built Heritage Investment Scheme."

"Nevertheless there is a substantial amount that has to be raised and that is beyond the resources of the Ferns Church of Ireland Parish alone. So, at this time, the team coordinating fundraising for the re-thatching project are opening an appeal across the whole community to preserve this building which has been part of the Ferns village landscape for the last 230 years or so," he added.

The launch, beginning at 7 p.m., will feature a presentations by Dr Denis Shine of the Irish Archaeology Field School, The Very Reverend Leslie Forrest, former Dean of Ferns and Catherine McPartlin of the Ferns Development Association and the Ferns Medieval Experience.

After the presentations there will be refreshments in the nearby St Mogue's Cottage and an opportunity to view the video of the Official Opening of St Mogue's Cottage after extensive restoration and refurbishment in July 2004 by then President Mary McAleese.