A CALL has been made for volunteers to re-enact one of the most decisive battles of the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion.
Plans are underway to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Ballinamuck in Co Longford, with a re-enactment of the famous clash involving United Irishmen and French allies facing off against British forces.
The battle was a turning point for the rebellion by the republican revolutionary Society of United Irishmen.
Among the United Irishmen's leaders was Belfast's Henry Joy McCracken, who was executed in his home city two months before the Battle of Ballinamuck.
The 1798 rebellion has become a turning point in Irish history, and contributed to the 1800 Act of Union that saw the end of the Parliament of Ireland.
The Battle of Ballinamuck Commemoration Committee has called for up to 150 volunteers to act as pikeman in a re-enactment to take place in September, close to where 500 Irish rebels and French troops are believed to be buried in a mass grave at the top of Shanmullagh Hill.
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A statue of a pikeman that was unveiled in 1928 stands in Ballinamuck as a memorial to those who died in the battle.
"It’s a very unique opportunity for anyone interested in taking part," a committee spokesperson said, urging volunteers to contact them through their Facebook page.
"Volunteers can look forward to a great day out, involving a bit of acting, period costume, lots of drama and fresh air."
