Rising above the town of Enniscorthy, Vinegar Hill is one of the most significant historical sites in Ireland. It was here, in June 1798, that the great rebellion of the United Irishmen met its bloody climax, as a massed crown army stormed the hilltop camp of the Wexford rebels. Today a short climb to the summit rewards you with sweeping views over the Slaney valley — and a powerful sense of standing on ground where Irish history turned.
The Battle of Vinegar Hill
In the summer of 1798, County Wexford was the heart of the rebellion against British rule. Vinegar Hill served as the rebels’ main camp and headquarters, and on 21 June a force of some 15,000 crown troops attacked it from all sides. The defeat that followed effectively broke the rising in the south-east. The hilltop, with its ruined windmill stump that the rebels used as a strongpoint, remains a place of pilgrimage and remembrance.
The Climb and the View
The walk to the summit is short — anything from a five-minute scramble to a gentle forty-minute ramble depending on your route — and interpretive panels explain the events of 1798 as you go. From the top, the views over Enniscorthy, the River Slaney and the surrounding countryside are tremendous. To understand the full story, pair the hill with a visit to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in the town below.
Practical Information
Vinegar Hill is on the edge of Enniscorthy, about 25 minutes from Wexford town, with a car park near the summit. It is free to visit and open year-round. The paths are uneven in places, so wear suitable footwear, and the exposed summit can be windy. Combine it with Enniscorthy Castle and the 1798 Centre for a full day of Wexford history.
This is one of our Top 15 Things to Do in Wexford.