National 1798 Rebellion Centre

About the museum

The National 1798 Rebellion Centre opened in 1998, the bicentenary of the rising, and is described by its sister site at Enniscorthy Castle as the first permanent exhibition in Ireland devoted to the events of 1798. It stands in the town where the insurgents of County Wexford made their last great stand at Vinegar Hill in June 1798.

The centre occupies a redeveloped former school building and is approached over a footbridge known as the Bridge of Democracy. Its displays set the Wexford rising in the context of revolutionary Europe and follow the story through the United Irishmen, the battles of May and June 1798, the French connection and the aftermath, using dioramas, audio-visual presentations and interactive elements. After a period of closure the displays were refurbished and the centre reopened in 2013.

Today visitors meet the key figures of the rebellion, see the weapons of the period and learn how roughly 20,000 insurgents faced about 10,000 Crown forces at Vinegar Hill. The centre works together with nearby Enniscorthy Castle and Vinegar Hill, offers guided and school tours, and has its own café.

Highlights

• Immersive account of the 1798 Rebellion in County Wexford
• The Battle of Vinegar Hill and the key figures of the rising
• Weapons and flags of the period, including a figure of General Lake
• Audio-visual and interactive displays
• Saver ticket shared with Enniscorthy Castle

Permanent exhibition

• The 1798 Rebellion Experience – Permanent exhibition on the rising in Wexford, with key figures, period weapons and flags, and an account of the Battle of Vinegar Hill.

Founded

1998

Admission & discounts

A combined saver ticket covers the 1798 Centre and Enniscorthy Castle and is valid for up to three months. Vinegar Hill itself can be visited free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access by ramp or lift; lifts serve the different floors and an evacuation chair is available. Accessible toilet with a large turning space, and seating roughly every 50 metres. Accessible parking bays are within 50 metres of the entrance. The café is step-free. The centre publishes an Access Welcome Guide on its website and answers access enquiries within two working days.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Children of all ages may visit at the discretion of the accompanying adult, as parts of the exhibition may be overwhelming for younger children; they must be accompanied at all times. A family ticket and school tours are available, and a baby changing facility is provided. Prams and pushchairs are allowed at the visitor's discretion; there is a lift but little storage outside the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

From the Enniscorthy bus stop the walk is about 10 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café 98 serves local, seasonal food seven days a week (breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday, sweet treats at weekends). Free parking for cars and coaches.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit