DAY 11 - Monday / The Trading Post, Enniscorthy, County Wexford - Enniscorthy / 25 miles

28/07/2014 / Monday / The Trading Post, Enniscorthy, County Wexford - Enniscorthy / 25 miles

The following day we split into two groups. The plan being that Mike and Alexa would spend some time at the beach to heat out there colds, whilst Alex and I go into Enniscorthy, to soak up some of Ireland’s 1798 rebellious history.

Alexa had been reading through a guide book, she brought along with her. Having a quick flick through where to start in the area, we decide firstly to visit Vinegar Hill, with its 'small' fort and ranging views of the entire county, and decide where next from there.  Before we left, I take some photos, of Alexa’s guide book, to view later.

Following the signs we made our way towards Vinegar Hill, parking in the visitor’s car park, which was unhelpfully cambered, so I rest the front wheel against the curb, to stop the bike rolling forward off the side stand. We stared a while and soak in the view, behind us there’s an information plaque, giving the history of Vinegar Hill, which also has a site plan, showing a small fort, that we could just see, being slightly hidden behind the crest of the hill, though it looked far too small to be a fort, more like the base of a windmill.

Fig. 1 - Panorama from the top of Vinegar Hill.

We weren’t at the summit just yet, there was a little dirt track, leading up to it. Feeling energetic, I ran to the top, only slightly pretending I was a rebel in my head. Alex opted to stay at the bottom, waiting for me to signal to him, if the view was worth the hike. Which it was, you could see for miles around and on a day like today, there where spits of rain and you could see small pockets of active rain clouds, roaming around the landscape, wetting the ground, so I flapped my arms at him to come and enjoy the view with me. Standing on the concrete plinth that represents the apex of the hill, I try in vain to capture the panoramic view. Alex soon arrives and takes his own panoramic shot, whilst I duck out of the way of his camera for him. He tells me of one panorama a friend of his once took, which he managed to photo bomb, every single photo without his friend noticing, until it was all stitched together, showing a perfect shot, but with multiple Alex’s in daft poses, in every frame, fare play I say.

Fig. 2 - Vinegar Hill 'tiny' Fort.

We wonder over to the tiny fort, which is circular in shape, at around 20ft in diameter. It is indeed the fort mentioned on the site plan, with evidence of the fighting that happened here clearly marked on the steel door, that now rests against the inside wall, opposite the entrance, as if blasted away and clearly shows a blast hole squarely in the middle, presumably made by a cannon ball. It would have been horrendous to of been in that fort, when the blast took that door out, I could imagine the carnage the shrapnel would of caused.

In 1798 the place was the main stronghold, of the Irish rebels in County Wexford, providing them with a great vantage point from which they planned attacks, on the surrounding area. Until in 1798, 20,000 drafted troops, equalling the rebel’s number, had a final decisive battle on this very hill on the 21st June. The rebels lost the battle, but due to an oversight by the encircling British, many escaped through a small gap in the line, to fight on another day leaving Vinegar Hill, to became an inspirational symbol for the Irish thanks, to their courage on that day.

We went into the town, of Enniscorthy, following the signs to the 1798 centre. After buying our tickets, we stopped firstly in their café for tea and scones, then started on our self-guided tour, which I have to stress was very well done. It is also noteworthy of the walkway, to the centres entrance. On the wooden slats is carved names of countries and the dates of when they declared their own independence! The centre’s tour, informs about the first influences, that Ireland had to then start its own bid for freedom and independence. The seeds where set, as it watched how America and other countries fight and win their own, and how those seeds germinated and grew into the hearts and minds of the Irish peoples, with the history being explained in a timeline, all the way up to the present day.

Enniscorthy Castle

We had a ride, around Enniscorthy, looking for other interests and spot the Enniscorthy Castle, to be honest, you can hardly miss it. With the one-way system we had fun in trying to navigate our way towards it, then our next task of finding a suitably flat area to park on. Once parked up though, we decide to grab some lunch, at a nearby café. Whilst at the café, an Irish local copper, or Garda in Irish, pops in for his lunch and by the way his uniform seemed two sizes too small for of him, we suspected, he frequented the café, somewhat too regularly.

When we go back to our bikes, to try to find a closer place to park near the Castle, Alex discovered a small present on his seat, where someone had left a sweetie for him quite randomly.

We ride, to the Castle but couldn’t find anywhere nearby, that was flat enough to park on, as the Castle was built on the side of a hill. So we navigated our way back, to where we had parked originally and I decided the best place would be right in the middle of a pedestrian square, off the road near a 1798 commemorative statue. Alex was feeling a bit nervous about leaving his bike out of sight, but the place had a good vibe.

Fig. 3 - 1798 Commemorative Statue.

With no disrespect, I passed a jokey comment on the statue, that we had parked near. The statue is of two people, one looks like he’s in command whilst the other looks like a plain rebel soldier. The one in command, seems to be directing the rebel, in a commanding way, with an outstretched arm. Whilst the rebel, strikes a manly pose with chest out and holding aloft a banner. It just struck me, with the seriousness of the historical battle, that the commander seems to be telling the posing rebel, to stop larking about and get over to where he was pointing!

We walk the short distance, around the corner and down the hill, to the Castle, to learn its history. Enniscorthy Castle was originally built in Norman times in 1205 and was privately owned until 1951, when it passed to the council. The Castle has seen many battles, including the one in 1798 and the Castles museum holds, various artefacts of Ireland’s rebellious history. 

We roamed all over the Castle and eventually took in the view from its roof, where we could see the renovations and extension’s that has happened to the Castle, over its many years.

Fig. 4 - Stopping back at the campsite, for an relaxed evening.

Having exhausted, Enniscorthy, of its history, we ride back to camp, and catch up with the others and see how their day went. As it turned out, Mike and Alexa had not left the campsites, as Mike had worsened with his flu turning in to a fever, which luckily subsequently broke, sometime during the day and he was feeling a lot better, so we had a few drinks to celebrate a successful day and relaxed for the evening.