03/08/2014. FREE TO USE IMAGE. Vinegar Hill Battle. Pictured are the Redcoats during the battle with fallen Rebels.
Thousands of spectators gathered in the heritage town of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford as pike charging Rebels and musket wielding Redcoats recreated the most significant battle in Ireland’s history, the 1798 Rebellion. Picture: Patrick Browne.

Successful Battle Rages in Enniscorthy

Thousands of spectators gathered in the heritage town of Enniscorthy over the weekend as pike charging Rebels and musket wielding Redcoats recreated the most significant battle in Ireland’s history, the 1798 Rebellion.

A crowd of over 300 Rebels and Redcoats took part in the third annual battle re-enactment on Vinegar Hill.

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 and according to organiser’s this years battle was the largest both on and off the battlefield.

Commenting on the free event Jacqui Hynes, Manager at the 1798 National Rebellion Centre said, “This years battle on the famous Vinegar Hill site has been a fantastic success. We were delighted to have a visit from the French Ambassador Mr Jean-Pierre Thébault whom this year visited in his personal time with a view to developing and supporting the French links that this Battle Reenactment holds; given that the ideals of those involved in the French revolution were what inspired the pike wielding rebels here in Enniscorthy.”

The highlight of the weekend in Wexford was the staging of two full-scale battle re-enactments on view freely to the public, where on Saturday afternoon the Rebels captured Enniscorthy Town and on Sunday the Redcoats took Vinegar Hill. Visitors observed the two armies fight amidst gunfire and explosions, pike charges and cannon fire on the notorious battleground overlooking Enniscorthy. The crown forces also included cavalry and cannons as they launched their assault on the hill.

Plenty of action was on offer across Enniscorthy town as the rebels made camp of the 1798 Rebellion and the Crown Force Soldiers took siege in Enniscorthy Castle and a ‘Rebels V’s Redcoats’ polocrosse match closed the weekends festivities.


ENDS – August 3, 2014.

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