CROWDS OF almost 5,000 people flocked to Enniscorthy at the weekend to watch the Battle of Vinegar Hill come to life.

The outstanding success of the inaugural re-enactment cemented its potential as a massive injection into the town’s tourism industry.

Over 100 professional re-enactors from across the UK stormed the streets as Redcoats, joined by 200 local volunteers who represented the Rebels.

A mixture of locals, curious tourists, history fans and bank holiday revellers joined the Crown Forces and Insurgents to witness the re-staging of the famous battle.

The massacre of June 21 1798 in Enniscorthy was the culmination of a popular revolt by 100,000 peasants against the British Government in Ireland, a conflict that left 30,000 people dead over six weeks.

The significance of the battle has reverberated down through history, and the weekend’s events gave a real insight into the brutality and violence of the time.

Along with the big battle on Sunday, combat exploded through the town on Saturday in preparation, while both sides of the clash set up camp at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and EnniscorthyCastle.

Manager of the 1798 Centre, Jacqui Hynes, said the weekend was a huge success: “We’re relieved there were no blips, but it was just absolutely fantastic.

“We look at battles like Waterloo and Gettysburg and we know we’re out of our league but the potential for bringing tourism to the town with this is amazing.”

For full story, see this week’s Echo.