Who fears to speak of ‘98?
1998 will mark the bicentenary of the United Irish rising of 1798 and preparations for its commemoration are already underway, especially in County Wexford where the bicentenary holds special significance. A commemoration association, Comóradh ‘98, backed by the local authorities and numerous county organisations and societies, has been active since 1988. Its latest event was a one-day seminar on the rising in the Ferrycarrig Hotel, outside Wexford town, attended by over 200 people.
The speakers (pictured below, from left) were Brian Cleary (The battle of Oulart Hill), Nicholas Furlong (Ireland’s strategic position in ‘98), Kevin Whelan (chair), Anna Kavanagh (Fr Kavanagh’s Popular History of the 1798 Rebellion), Louis Cullen (United Irish organisation in Wexford) and Dáire Keogh (Sectarianism in the eighteenth century).
Enquiries: Comóradh ‘98, Market Square, Enniscorthy. Ph: (054) 33540/35115, Fax: (054) 35115.