Battle Of Vinegar Hill Anniversary, Ireland 1998

Over four thousand Pikemen and women take part in the Vinegar Hill commemoration parade through Enniscorthy, County Wexford.

During one month of the United Irishmen Rising two hundred years ago, thirty thousand people died. The commemorations to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Vinegar Hill were attended by ambassadors from many countries. as well as members of the government. Seamus Brennan addressed the crowd.

While the United Irishmen may have been defeated here, they bequeathed a living legacy of democracy and republicanism which has defined subsequent generations of Irish people.

Vinegar Hill Day was also marked by Americans, Canadians, Australians and people from New Zealand, all of whom were represented at the Enniscorthy commemorations.

The Pikemen and women marched to Vinegar Hill, the place where thousands of their descendants perished two hundred years ago in the name of liberty and freedom.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 June 1998. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.