By Dan Walsh on Vinegar Hill
Poor weather conditions failed to dampen the remembrance service marking the 226th anniversary of the Battle of Vinegar Hill which took place on the historic battlefield site last evening where, according to Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District, speaking on site, said; “It is hard for us today, in such a scenic place, to picture what our ancestors’ experienced here and to comprehend their feelings on June 21st 1798.”
Cllr O’Rourke stated that “we come here to remember not only those that died on Vinegar Hill on that day, but those who lost their lives during the summer of 1798 where it is estimated 20,000 people, a sixth of the population, lost their lives.”
“We also remember the tens of thousands who survived and left County Wexford after 1798, in either exile or emigration, who would never see their home place again,” continued Cllr O’Rourke, who added; “It is important we honour them by passing these ideals to our younger generations and all future generations.”
Two wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial in the car park at Vinegar Hill, one by young Emily Murphy, who has performed this honour on many previous occasions, and a joint laying by Cllrs O’Rourke and Murphy.
Rev. Tom Dalton, Administrator at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, and Canon Nicola Halford, Rector at Enniscorthy Union of Parishes also presided.
Jacqui Hynes, joint editor (with Ronan O’Flaherty) of Vinegar Hill; The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798, read the Proclamation and actor and stage performer Fintan Kelly read Requiem for the Croppies by poet Seamus Heaney.
In attendance were Minister James Browne, Deputies Paul Kehoe and Johnny Mythen and Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe. Cathal Byrne and Jackser Owens, who had just returned from the annual general meeting of Wexford County Council held earlier.
Thanks was expressed to the Enniscorthy Castle team of Mico Hassett (Manager), Eve Furlong (Deputy Manager), District Manager Claire Lawless and outdoor staff of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Master of ceremonies for the occasion was Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy in her role as chair of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Enniscorthy Castle Board.
A guard of honour was presented by Enniscorthy Historical Re-eactment Society and the ceremony concluded when Ballindaggin Pipe Band played Amhrán na bFiann.
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