Multiple events to take place at Vinegar Hill and Rebellion Centre

The National 1798 Rebellion Centre has announced a series of events to commemorate the 1798 Rebellion in Enniscorthy over the 21-22nd June 2025…

1798 Summer School

A series of guided walks and talks will be offered on Saturday, 21st June, beginning with a walking tour of Enniscorthy town at 10am with historian and archaeologist, Barry Lacey, starting from the 1798 Centre carpark. The walk will finish back at The National 1798 Rebellion Centre where three talks covering different aspects of the Rebellion will be presented. The morning walking tour and talks are €10 each or a 1798 Summer School pass, which includes 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. Free parking is available all day.

The talks start at noon with a presentation by Dr. Elaine Callinan of Carlow College on the influences of the 1798 Rebellion with the revolutions across Europe and in America. After a short break for lunch or coffee, New Ross historian at tour guide, Myles Courtney, offers his in-depth talk on the Battle of New Ross at 2pm.

In the final talk of the day, Dr. Ida Milne, lecturer at Carlow College and TCD, will give us a personal look at the letters of her grandmother’s family, the Elmes, who lived near Old Ross until the 1970s. The letters were collected by Ida’s father, King Milne, and his uncle, Sam Elmes, and were written intermittently between 1785 and 1817. The letters provide insights into the social and economic landscape in the period prior to the 1798 rebellion. The correspondence also covers events in and around New Ross and Old Ross in late May and early June 1798, the Protestant experience during these troubled times and the divided loyalties of Samuel Elmes’s sons, one a yeoman and another implicated with the rebels.

We are pleased to welcome the public to attend a free talk on the battle of Vinegar Hill, presented by folklorist and historian, Jacqui Hynes, at the top of Vinegar Hill. Meet in the Vinegar Hill carpark at 4:30pm and walk up to the old windmill for this informative discussion, steeped in the history that surrounds us. After the talk, walk back down the hill to attend the Longest Day Comemmoration.

Battle of Vinegar Hill Commemoration

At 6pm on Saturday 21st June a commemoration will be held at the Vinegar Hill car park to recognise to battle that took place here on ‘The Longest Day’, presented in conjunction with the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council. The Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society, accompanied by the Nócha hOcht le Chéile pikemen and the Ballindaggin Pipe Band, will march from the Enniscorthy Gaelscoil to Vinegar Hill in period dress for the commencement of the commemoration. A number of speakers will provide historical context, along with music from the Ballindaggin Pipe Band and other guests. This event is free and open to the public.

Rebellion Day is an interactive family day on Sunday, 22nd June from 12-5pm on the grounds of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre. Manager Mico Hassett says, ‘This community-orientated day brings

history to life, offering up-close craft demonstrations and weapons displays, along with traditional music and dancing. It is a fun and educational day that encourages participation.’

Local Re-enactment organiser, Ray Murphy, says, ‘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-crafted weapons that were so important in 1798 with blacksmith and wood-working demonstrations and maybe even see the work that goes into making a hand-forged iron pike!

The Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann brings the Fringe Fleadh to Enniscorthy, providing live trad sessions and Irish Dancing throughout the afternoon. Bring the whole family and make a day of exploring the food & craft stalls. Café 98 will be open with a special festival menu or bring a picnic and enjoy the 1798 Centre grounds.

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. Café 98 will be open with a take-away menu, 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.

Deputy Manager Eve Furlong commented, ‘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 person or only €10 for up to a family of five, a super value, for the whole weekend. Keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/1798centre/ for more updates.’

Music Funded through the Fringe Fleadh in partnership with Wexford County Council

Image Credits: Rocket Science Media

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