No. 9 IRA GHQ grenade, Inchicore, 1920-1921

No. 9 IRA GHQ grenade, Inchicore, 1920-1921

This grenade case, complete with detonator mechanism viewable through a section cut out of the body, is a demonstration No.9 type grenade, the standard pattern adopted by IRA General Headquarters in Dublin during the War of Independence. It was made at the Great Southern and Western Railway works, now the Inchicore Railway Works, by members of the 4^th Battalion, Dublin Brigade.
This grenade was used for the instruction of members of 4^th Battalion. Classes were held at 27 and 38 Harold's Cross Road, 34 Camden Street, Emmett Hall, Inchicore, St. Enda's, Oakley Road, Rathmines Road, James' Street, the Old Brickworks at Crumlin, and Inchicore. Most of the grenade cases and necks were conveyed from Inchicore to Twynams Mineral Water Factory at Leonards Corner on the South Circular Road. A lathe and other tools necessary for finishing off the grenades was installed there, and a Volunteer Gough was charged with finishing the various parts.