28/07/2014. FREE TO USE IMAGE. 1798 Battle of Vinegar Hill. Rebels "Unit 21" prepare for Battle, the annual 1798 Battle of Vinegar Hill Reenactment is set to take place in the famous battlefield overlooking Enniscorthy town in County Wexford this Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3 and organiser’s say it will be the busiest battlefield to-date. Pictured are Rebels "Unit 21" with from left Kenny Ryan, Mathew Murphy, Adam Wickham, Megan Murphy and Aine McDonald. Picture: Patrick Browne.

For immediate release – July 28, 2014.
FREE to use images to follow from Patrick Browne – 086 251 5700

Battle lines are Drawn for Re-enactment of Battle of Vinegar Hill this August Bank Holiday Weekend

The third annual reenactment of the Battle of Vinegar Hill is set to take place at the historic Enniscorthy location this Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3 and organiser’s say it will be the busiest battlefield to-date.

A crowd of over 300 Rebels and Redcoats will take part in the largest annual battle re-enactment in Ireland, as pike charging Rebels and musket wielding Redcoats recreate the most significant battles in Ireland’s history, the 1798 Rebellion.

Commenting on the upcoming free event Jacqui Hynes, Manager at the 1798 National Rebellion Centre said, “We’re all set here in Enniscorthy to welcome over 300 members of the public who have all registered to take part in the re-enactment, Rebel and Redcoat training has been taking place now since April and this years battle on the famous Vinegar Hill is set to be the biggest re-enactment yet, as well Irish Rebels we have professional re-enactors as Redcoats from Ireland, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland from the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers to the Staff of the Irish Establishment of the British Army at Dublin Castle and more who will all battle as the ‘Crown Forces’ during the re-enactment. It will be a sight to behold to live, breathe and witness a re-creation of history.”

Each year the Battle of Vinegar Hill Re-enactment attracts thousands of spectators to Enniscorthy as the town explodes into rebellion with cannon bombardments, cavalry assaults, muskets volleys and pike charges, clouding the town in the sights, sounds, and smells of battle.

The highlight of each day will be the staging of two full-scale battle re-enactments on view freely to the public, the Rebels will capture Enniscorthy Town on Saturday, August 2 while the Redcoats take Vinegar Hill on Sunday August 3 as the forces will amass their strength at the Market Square at 1pm for a wreath laying ceremony commemorating all those lost in battle during the 1798 Rebellion. This will be followed by parade through the town to Vinegar Hill for battle at 2.00pm. Visitors are invited to watch the two armies fight amidst gunfire and explosions, pike charges and cannon fire on the notorious battleground overlooking Enniscorthy. The crown forces will also include cavalry and cannons to launch their assault on the hill.

There’s also plenty of action in town for all the family throughout the weekend, including a visit to the rebel camp of the 1798 Rebellion or the Crown Force Soldiers in Enniscorthy Castle, view traditional crafts or browse the craft and antiques fairs or witness the exhibition ‘Rebels V’s Redcoats’ polocrosse match.

The Battle of Vinegar Hill was the final major battle of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Over 10,000 crown forces launched an attack on Vinegar Hill, overlooking Enniscorthy in County Wexford, which was then occupied by over 20,000 rebels and camp followers. This was the largest rebel camp and headquarters of the Wexford United Irishmen and their supporters. It marked a turning point in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 as it was the last major attempt by the rebels to hold and defend ground against the crown forces / the army of King George III. The battle was actually fought in two locations: on Vinegar Hill itself and in the streets of nearby Enniscorthy.

The call to arms for the Rebel Camp is still open, if you think you have what it takes men, women and children can enlist to join the rebel forces at www.vinegarhill.ie

For further details on the upcoming Battle of Vinegar Hill Re-enactment see www.visitwexford.ie


ENDS – July 28, 2014.

To arrange an interview or a visit or for further details contact Ann power 086 3065588 or email ann@powerhousepr.ie
Free to use images – Patrick Browne – 086 251 5700