Sale of 1798 rebellion centre off the cards

THE proposed sale of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy to a private developer is not going ahead, according to senior figures within the local authority.

News of the proposed sale had led to over 5,000 people signing an online petition calling on the council to reverse the decision and, reacting to this latest development, Cllr Codd-Nolan said: ‘1798 flows deep in our veins and I hope people will continue to support the centre.’

She also commented recently that any feedback she received regarding the centre and the 1798 exhibition was that people ‘loved it’ and thought it was excellent.

Other councillors also expressed satisfaction at the news the centre will not be sold, for now.

Cllr Jackser Owens said it was a case of ‘people power’ in action.

With regard to what the next move should be, he said there should be an open week at the centre to encourage people from around Wexford and beyond to visit it.

‘I think there should be a free open week so that people can go and judge it for themselves,’ he said.

‘I would like to see the council invite RTE down to showcase it to the entire country through something like Nationwide,’ he added.

Cllr Owens also suggested schools should be invited to visit the centre and consideration should also be given to running buses from Vinegar Hill to the centre and vice-versa.

‘We could have a passive type building there too that would work with the landscape of the area,’ said Cllr Murphy.

Deputy James Browne also welcomed the news that the centre is not to be sold.

‘I’m glad plans to sell the National 1798 centre have been scrapped. Enniscorthy and County Wexford’s rich history boasts many ties to the 1798 rebellion. It would have been a shame to see the closure of the centre,’ he said.

‘As our National Centre dedicated to preserving and commemorating the history of the 1798 Rebellion, now is the right time to put a plan in place that will re-imagine how we promote this important part of our county, and country’s, history,’ said Deputy Browne.