How a silver cigarette box saved my relative from the Black’n’Tan bullets
A BULLET-RIDDLED silver cigarette case which saved the life of a Cork jeweller nearly 100 years ago when he was shot repeatedly by the Black and Tans has been unearthed by his greatgrandson.
It is among a string of national treasures held by ordinary people around Ireland which have been collected for a new RTÉ series.
In a story which could come straight out of a James Bond movie, Bill Smith revealed how the silver case stopped bullets fired at his urbane great-grandad after he was pursued by British forces.
Macca Powell was standing on the shop floor of Mangan’s Jewellers on Patrick’s Street in Cork on December 11th, 1920, when soldiers burst through the door during the infamous Burning of Cork in the War of Independence.
‘This was one occasion where smoking was good for you,’ said Mr Smith. ‘The Black and Tans attacked Cork and came into the jewellers and he was on the shop floor. They went to burn it out and they chased him through the building into his office. He hid behind the desk and they started taking shots at him. It was the silver cigarette box which saved his life. He didn’t have a scratch.’
Mr Smith said the story has been passed down through the generations – along with the bullet-riddled silver case. ‘I was about four when I first heard the story attached to it – that was 53 years ago,’ he added.
Other precious objects which feature in the four-part series include a plectrum from Rory Gallagher’s last Irish gig, Sonia O’Sullivan’s running shoes, and the late Paddy Clancy’s favourite Aran jumper. A selection of the treasures will be included in an exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland. National Treasures starts tonight RTÉ One, 6.30pm