Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy (Inis Córthaidh) is a town in County Wexford, with a population in 2018 of 19,381. Standing on the River Slaney, it's best known as the redoubt of the rebels of 1798 - their headquarters and last stand were on Vinegar Hill to the east of town.

Understand
The 18th century Society of United Irishmen watched France and the United States overthrow monarchy and colonialism; they sought to unite Catholics and Protestants to likewise free and reform Ireland. Rebellion broke out in May 1798 but soon collapsed, except in County Wexford - by the end of May the rebels held the entire county and proclaimed a revolutionary republic. Now it only remained to liberate the rest of Ireland. On 5 June 1798 they assaulted New Ross and captured it for a few hours, then were driven back with great slaughter. On 9 June they attacked Arklow but were repulsed by gunfire. They retreated to Wexford as government troops converged upon them. Their last stand was on Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy on 21 June. Many then escaped through a gap in the surrounding forces, but thereafter they could only mount pinprick attacks. The Wexford rebels had been hunted down before their long-promised French support landed in Aug 1798 in County Mayo. It's become known as "The Year of the French" but the French incursion only lasted 12 days, sustaining light casualties, while their Irish supporters were cut down. Perhaps some 10,000 died in the course of the rebellion.

By train
Five trains a day run from Dublin Connolly, taking 2 hours 15 min via Dún Laoghaire, Bray, Wicklow Town, Rathdrum, Arklow and Gorey. They continue from Enniscorthy to Wexford, Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort the ferry terminal. A walk-up single from Dublin is €15, see Irish Rail for timetables and ticket deals.

The is 200 m north of the river bridge.

By bus
By bus there's competition on the route from Dublin. Expressway Bus 2 / X2 runs hourly from Dublin Airport and Busáras via Arklow and Gorey, taking 2 hours 30 min to Enniscorthy (adult single €17), and continuing to Wexford. Wexford Bus 740 also runs hourly from the airport, with several stops in central Dublin (but it doesn't use Busáras), Arklow bypass, Gorey and Enniscorthy, continuing to Wexford; similar times and fares.

Change at Gorey for buses to Wicklow Town, and at Wexford for the cross-country bus to Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork, Macroom, Killarney and Tralee.

Wexford Bus 376 runs twice or thrice a day from Carlow via Enniscorthy to Wexford.

The is called Templeshannon on timetables. It's on Shannon Quay on the east riverbank.

By road
From Dublin follow N11 / M11 south along the coast. From the west, eg Cork or Waterford, follow N25 onto N30.

Get around
The town sights are within walking distance. For Ferns, use the hourly Wexford Bus 740, taking 10 min on its way to Dublin.

See

 * was the main camp of the rebels of 1798, who proclaimed the "Republic of Wexford". A month later, encircling loyalist troops moved in for the kill, and town and camp were re-captured on 21 June. This wasn't the final act as the late arrival of one encircling contingent enabled many rebels to flee through "Needham's Gap". But they were scattered, poorly armed, and could only mount pinprick guerrilla attacks. Their leaders were hunted down, and "The Year of the French" was ended by the capture of Wolfe Tone in Donegal.
 * is a village 12 km northeast along the old road to Gorey, which in the 6th century was the capital of Leinster. In 1169 King Diarmuid MacMurrough was having a scrap with the O'Connors, so he sought help from Henry II of England, a tactic akin to importing a swarm of locusts to help finish some kitchen scraps: it led to centuries of English settlement, conquest and colonisation. The castle was built circa 1220; the ruins are open May-Sept daily 10:00-17:00. At the east end of the village are St Edan's (aka Ferns Cathedral, C of I, Modern), its predecessor 13th C cathedral, St Mary's Augustinian Abbey, High Crosses, St Mogue's Cottage, St Peter's (possibly 11th C) and St Mogue's Well. St Aidan's Monastery across the village is modern.
 * was the main camp of the rebels of 1798, who proclaimed the "Republic of Wexford". A month later, encircling loyalist troops moved in for the kill, and town and camp were re-captured on 21 June. This wasn't the final act as the late arrival of one encircling contingent enabled many rebels to flee through "Needham's Gap". But they were scattered, poorly armed, and could only mount pinprick guerrilla attacks. Their leaders were hunted down, and "The Year of the French" was ended by the capture of Wolfe Tone in Donegal.
 * is a village 12 km northeast along the old road to Gorey, which in the 6th century was the capital of Leinster. In 1169 King Diarmuid MacMurrough was having a scrap with the O'Connors, so he sought help from Henry II of England, a tactic akin to importing a swarm of locusts to help finish some kitchen scraps: it led to centuries of English settlement, conquest and colonisation. The castle was built circa 1220; the ruins are open May-Sept daily 10:00-17:00. At the east end of the village are St Edan's (aka Ferns Cathedral, C of I, Modern), its predecessor 13th C cathedral, St Mary's Augustinian Abbey, High Crosses, St Mogue's Cottage, St Peter's (possibly 11th C) and St Mogue's Well. St Aidan's Monastery across the village is modern.
 * is a village 12 km northeast along the old road to Gorey, which in the 6th century was the capital of Leinster. In 1169 King Diarmuid MacMurrough was having a scrap with the O'Connors, so he sought help from Henry II of England, a tactic akin to importing a swarm of locusts to help finish some kitchen scraps: it led to centuries of English settlement, conquest and colonisation. The castle was built circa 1220; the ruins are open May-Sept daily 10:00-17:00. At the east end of the village are St Edan's (aka Ferns Cathedral, C of I, Modern), its predecessor 13th C cathedral, St Mary's Augustinian Abbey, High Crosses, St Mogue's Cottage, St Peter's (possibly 11th C) and St Mogue's Well. St Aidan's Monastery across the village is modern.

Do

 * The Athenaeum on Castle St is a 1892 building hosting theatre, concerts and events, plus a small museum.
 * Greyhound racing is on Monday and Thursday at 20:00. The stadium is on Ross Rd 300 m west of town centre.
 * is 2 km southwest of town. It's a parkland course, blue tees 6104 m, par 72, visitor round €30.
 * Strawberry Fair at the end of June marks the arrival of the local strawberry crop. The 2021 dates are TBA.
 * Blackstairs Mountains form the boundary with County Carlow, 20 km west of Enniscorthy which is the closest town on the County Wexford side. The highest is Mount Leinster at 794 m / 2605 ft, with a TV mast on top: you can stroll up the paved lane from Nine Stones car park on the Carlow side. A more interesting hike is from Ballycrystal, off R746 on the Wexford side: first ascend north to Black Rock, then head over the east top to the main summit, reckon 4 hours return.

Buy

 * Aldi and Lidl are 1 km northwest up Bellefield Rd.

Eat

 * Chang Thai is open W-Su 17:30-22:00. It's within Treacy's Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Chang Thai is open W-Su 17:30-22:00. It's within Treacy's Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Chang Thai is open W-Su 17:30-22:00. It's within Treacy's Hotel, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Jackfords potato gin is distilled at Tomnalossett south of town; no tours.
 * D Bar is within Treacy's Hotel, see Sleep. It's open F-Su until late and often caters for stag and hen parties.

Connect
As of Dec 2020, Enniscorthy has 5G from Eir and Three, and 4G from Vodafone.

Go next

 * Wexford the county town has the National Heritage Park, and Johnstown Castle with the Agricultural Museum.
 * Arklow, scene of a break-out by the 1798 rebels, has a pyramid and a philosophical conundrum by Wittgenstein.
 * Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, has Viking, medieval and Georgian heritage.