gun / Experimental, 1920

Experimental mortar or Big Gun, 1920. Made by Peadar Clancy and Dick McKee of the Headquarters Staff, Dublin Brigade, I.R.A. A metal tube mounted on a trestle. Described as the only piece of artillery used during the War of Independence. It was tried out by Captain Mat Furlong of the Dublin Brigade at Lustown, Batterstown, Co. Meath. On the fifth shell being fired, it exploded and fatally wounded Captain Furlong. After the accident the gun was searched for by the Black and Tans, but it had been hidden in the River Tolka by Mr John Connell of Lustown. After some years, when Connell was released from Arbour Hill Prison, he recovered the mortar and was instrumental in having it deposited with the 1916 Collection in the National Museum of Ireland. With it were several of the hand-made shells used in the experiments, made of cast iron, fitted with a detonation cap and had a range of 185 yards.;