By Dan Walsh
The 225th anniversary of the Rebellion of 1798 in County Wexford kicks off this evening (Friday) with a number of events, continues over the weekend and for a number of weeks, and thanks to the staff at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy WexfordLocal.com aims to keep everybody informed of events happening, although it must be accepted that some timelines are close together, but it is the people’s choice to attend at their favourite location.
FRIDAY (today) events; A wreath laying ceremony will be held in The Harrow at 6.30pm followed by a pike march to the Fr. John Murphy Centre at Boolavogue and the commemorations continue with music and other entertainment at Kelly’s Bar, The Harrow.
At 7pm in Presentation Arts Centre at Enniscorthy, leading historian Dr. Kevin Whelan will open the new Summer School initiative and his talk is entitled “The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford; What should we think about it now? This is a free event.
SATURDAY events in Enniscorthy includes; 11am, Battle of Enniscorthy Tour with Fintan Kelly. Assemble in Market Square.
12.30pm; Battle of Enniscorthy event on Enniscorthy Castle Roof.
2pm; Guided tour of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy.
4pm; The Battle of Vinegar Hill with Jacqui Hynes and Ronan O’Flaherty, editors of Vinegar Hill – The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 – (published by Four Courts Press, 2021).
Saturday 6pm; A memorial to the United Irishmen will be unveiled at Tulach a tSolas on Oulart Hill. Afterwards, there will be a pike march back to Oulart village followed by stories and songs accompanied by Aileen Kennedy’s harpists, a few words from historian Brian Ó Cléirigh and refreshments. All are welcome.
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