Barry Curtin from Watergrasshill was interviewed as part of John Creedon’s National Treasures (episode one) which aired on RTE 1 last Sunday night.
Barry’s artefact which he showcased on the programme, is a grenade from the time War of Independence which was made in Knockraha.
Speaking to The Avondhu this week, Barry explained that, as a young boy, he remembers that the grenade was in the pillar at the entrance of the parochial house in Watergrasshill.
In the ’50s and ’60s as young children, Barry and his friends would pass the pillar on their way to the well and there was always a sense of mystery and intrigue about the object in the pillar of the wall.
Fuel was added to the fire when their parents would constantly warn them to keep away from it as it may be dangerous.
As far as Barry knows, the grenade had been embedded in the pillar for about 51 years until his friend dug it out of the wall in 1970.
Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition
