A host of events will take place at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre to celebrate Rebellion Day for 2024…
Events will take place over the 21st – 23rd of June 2024.
The National 1798 Rebellion Centre is pleased to announce a series of events to commemorate the 1798 Rebellion in Enniscorthy over the 21-23rd June 2024. These events have been kindly funded through Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Wexford County Council – Festival Grant Scheme 2024.
Battle of Vinegar Hill Commemoration
On the 21st June at 6pm, a commemoration will be held on Vinegar Hill to recognise to battle that took place here on ‘The Longest Day’, presented in conjunction with the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council. A number of speakers will provide historical context, along with poetry readings and the Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society in period dress. This event is free and open to the public.
1798 Summer School
A series of guided walks and talks will be offered on Saturday, 22nd June, beginning with a walking tour of Enniscorthy and Vinegar Hill at 10am with the ever-engaging Fintan Kelly. Booking for the walking tour is directly with Fintan at fintanibharkelly@gmail.com.
Make your way to The National 1798 Rebellion Centre where there will be three talks covering different aspects of the Rebellion. The talks are €5 each or a 1798 Summer School pass, including entry to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre exhibition over the weekend, is only €12. Pre-booking is recommended through info@1798centre.ie or 053 9327596.
The day continues with a family-friendly presentation of ‘The Battlefields and Weapons of 1798’ with tour guides Mary Brickley and Paul Byrne at noon, followed by a break for lunch – bring your own for the picnic tables outside or book a table in Café 98.
At 2pm, join Wexford County Archivist, Grainne Doran, who will present ‘Showcasing 1798 – a look at key documents, art, textiles and artefacts relating to the period from collections in Wexford County Archive’. This is a rare opportunity to see original artefacts from the archives!
Our keynote speaker for the day, Stephen McCracken, will start at 3pm with his talk ‘The North Remembered (Eventually)’ covering the Northern United Irishmen from its foundation in the back entries of Belfast, the first places to rise in Rebellion, to Henry Joy McCracken`s hanging. Stephen grew up in North Derry and is a graduate from Dundee. He has been researching the 1798 period for the past 10+ years and has produced two books; one covering the Battle of Antrim, and the second on those who Emigrated from all of Ireland as a result of the rebellion, written with Wicklow historian, Colum O’Rourke. Stephen is a Qualified Tour guide covering the North and has worked in Animal health care for the past 15 years. He has given talks on the United Irishmen throughout the country.
Finally, we are pleased to welcome the public to attend a free talk on the battles of Vinegar Hill and Oulart Hill, presented by Jacqui Hynes and Brian O’Cleirigh at the top of Vinegar Hill. Meet in the Vinegar Hill carpark at 5pm and walk up to the old windmill for this informative discussion, steeped in the history that surrounds us.
Rebellion Day:
Rebellion Day will take place on Sunday, 23rd June from noon to 4:30pm on the grounds of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.
Speaking to Wexford Weekly, manager Mico Hassett said:
“This family-orientated day recognises the efforts of the local community in the fight for Irish independence over many centuries and in particular, in June of 1798.”
Local Re-enactment organiser, Ray Murphy, said:
“Re-enactors have the opportunity to pay homage to our past heroes and participate in commemorations and re-enactments throughout the year. The Enniscorthy Re-enactors Society will set up camp in the gardens of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre. Watch out – there may even be a few shots fired!”
Re-enactors will answer questions about the battles and weapons of 1798 throughout the day. Learn about the hand-crated weapons that were so important in 1798 with Gorey blacksmith, Finín Liam Christie, demonstrating the work that goes into making a forged iron pike.
The Wild Turkeys and other musicians will bring the Fringe Fleadh to Enniscorthy, providing live trad sessions throughout the afternoon. Bring the whole family and make a day of exploring the food & craft stalls, too. Café 98 will be open for brunch and reservations are recommended.
Visit the Centre
The Centre will be open for tours from 12-4:15pm, so if you haven’t been in to see the exhibition or it has been a while, come inside and take in a bit of interactive history. The new Café 98 will be open for brunch, coffee, tea, cold drinks, and sweet treats, too. Public toilet facilities are available to all. On Sunday, the carpark at St. Mary’s CBS will be open for free parking during Rebellion Day.
The Rebellion Day event is a free, family day out and for those wanting to see the 1798 exhibition, a general admission tour ticket will be reduced to €5 per adult (€4 student/seniors) or only €10 for up to a family of five, a super value, for the weekend.
Keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/1798centre/ for more updates.
The events are Funded through Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Wexford County Council – Festival Grant Scheme 2024.
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