About 150 metres northeast from the Ferns church, there are the ruins of the St. Mary's Cathedral, 13th century. It was probably built by the first Norman bishop John St. John.
In 1577 the cathedral was attacked and burnt by the local chieftain Fiach McHugh O'Byrne, but he was forced to rebuild it.
Most of the building is now missing, but parts of the two side walls still remain. Two burial markers are at the west end of the nave.
In the nearby graveyard there are several graves, but one slab decorated with a cross is said to mark the burial place of Diarmait Mac Murchadha, King of Leinster, who died in 1171.
UPDATE: June 12th, 2013 - We were in the area and thought to visit the place again. The first three photos are from the previous visit.
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