By Dan Walsh on Vinegar Hill
The Longest Day, Father’s Day and 228th anniversary of the Battle of Vinegar Hill were celebrated in ceremonial style on Vinegar Hill, overlooking Enniscorthy town, on Sunday evening.
The principal speaker was historian Jacqui Hynes, joint editor of Wexford Rebels of 1798 (with Ronan O’Flaherty) who said; “Archaeological research reveals this site to be potential mass graves on this battlefield, silent testimony to the scale, the tragedy and the number of families torn apart, marked and unmarked graves, either on this hill and the roads from here contains the remains of many who died violently, including non-combatants reminding us that the cost of the rebellion was borne by entire households not just the men who fought.
“We can only surmise that for many survivors that stood on this hill 128 years ago today the impact was lifelong. Some returned home to shattered communities, others lived with the grief of lost family members.
“These men were not faceless. They were fathers, sons and neighbours whose families carried their loss for generations. As we celebrate the fathers in our life today (Father’s Day) let us remember all the men, women and children who stood on Vinegar Hill their hearts filled with courage and fear.
“May we honour them by cherishing the peace they never knew and by remembering this battlefield site with the respect and the dignity it deserves,” concluded Ms. Hynes.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Chair of the 1798 and Enniscorthy Castle Board said; “we are here on the 228th anniversary of the battle of Vinegar Hill to remember all those who died here in 1798.”
Very Rev. James Cullen, St. Aidan’s Parish and the Reverend Canon Nicola Halford, Rector Enniscorthy Monart Union of Parishes shared in ecumenical prayers.
Wreaths were laid at the ’98 memorial by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and Ms. Emily Murphy.
Maura Bell, Manager of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre acted as master of ceremonies. She welcomed Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Aidan Browne, Trish Byrne, John O’Rourke and Pat Kehoe. There was an apology read from Senator Cathal Byrne who could not attend.
There was a welcome for participants including ’98 Le Cheile, Ballindaggin Pipe Band, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society.
The event commenced with a march by the members of St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, up Vinegar Hill Lane and concluded with Amhrán Na bFhiann played by the band.
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