Battle of Enniscorthy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Enniscorthy
Part of the Irish Rebellion
County Wexford, 1798 Monument
Date 28 May 1798 Location Enniscorthy, County Wexford Result Irish victory British abandon Enniscorthy.
Belligerents
United Irishmen	British Army Loyalists
Commanders and leaders
John Murphy Edward Roche	Captain William Snowe
Strength
5,000–7,000	331
Casualties and losses
~100–500 killed	~100 killed

The Battle of Enniscorthy was an important fight during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It happened on May 28, 1798. A large group of Irish rebels attacked the town of Enniscorthy in County Wexford. The town was defended by a small group of soldiers and local people who supported the British.

Just one day before, at a place called Oulart, thousands of rebels led by a priest named Father John Murphy had defeated a group of British soldiers. This victory gave the rebels confidence for their attack on Enniscorthy.

What Was the Battle of Enniscorthy?

The Battle of Enniscorthy began around 1 p.m. The rebels started their attack by driving a herd of cattle through one of the town's gates. This caused a lot of confusion. They also set some buildings in the town on fire.

The Attack Begins

The soldiers defending the gate had to move back. They went to a stone bridge over the River Slaney. For about three hours, the loyalist forces fought hard. However, they started to run out of bullets.

Fighting for Control

The rebels also found a way to cross the river where the water was low. This allowed them to surround the defenders. Even though the loyalist forces had pushed many rebels out of the town, they were told to leave Enniscorthy.

They marched to Wexford, taking many frightened people with them. These included men, women, and children who were escaping the burning town. During the battle, the loyalist soldiers and local fighters had killed many rebels. They also lost some of their own people.

What Happened After the Battle?

After the loyalist forces left, the rebels took control of Enniscorthy. The town's streets were filled with dead and injured people. Fires continued to burn, destroying many homes and businesses. About 478 houses were ruined.

The rebels then set up a large camp on a nearby hill called Vinegar Hill. This camp had about 10,000 men. From there, they could keep control of Enniscorthy.