The colour green was
characteristic of the rebel flags
of ’98.
Green flags bearing yellow or golden representations of the uncrowned harp were carried by the rebels
in Wexford, Wicklow and in other counties also.
When the insurgents entered Wexford town on the 30th May 1798, they came with green banners flying.
They later hoisted a green flag above the barracks on the quayside. Because of the shortage of green
flags used by rebel corps, it was customary to display
banners of all colours except orange which was
supposedly disliked by the people.
According to Edward Hay who was in
Wexford at the time, many female
sympathisers offered coloured petticoats
which were used as flags and were usually
‘decorated according to their fancy’.
Many of these women began working on embroidered flags, some of which remained
unfinished when the rebellion
had been put down.
The last battle in Wexford was fought under a green flag which flew from the ruined windmill on Vinegar Hill
overlooking Enniscorthy town on 21st June 1798. |
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"It is new strung
and shall be heard" |
