Gerald of Wales put under pressure at The MacMurrough Inquiry

Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis), writer, historian and man of the church. His Topography of Ireland and Conquest of Ireland were important sources and played a key role in shaping attitudes and perceptions of the Irish in the 12th century. His testimony at the Inquiry reveals his weakness as a reliable narrator.

The MacMurrough Inquiry took place in St. Edan's Cathedral, Ferns in October 2019 as part of the Ferns Conference 2019 and was Ferns' contribution to #Norman850 events held throughout the county in 2019. Using the model of a judicial inquiry to look at the extent to which Diarmuid MacMurrough was responsible for the Norman 'invasion' and was a great way of exploring key events leading to their arrival in Wexford in 1169. A unique and innovative event, the Inquiry used real barristers (Hugh McDowell, Adrian O'Higgins, Declan Harmon and William Prasifka), a real High Court judge (Justice Deirdre Murphy) and witnesses from the medieval period - the High King of Ireland, Rory O'Connor, Strongbow, Robert FitzHarding, Dervorgilla, Tiernan O'Ruairc, Maurice O'Regan, Bishop Salisbury, St. Malachy, Gerald of Wales, Bishop Ua hAedha and a nun from the Abbey of Kildare.