A THREE HUNDRED-year old musket that Ian Paisley gave to Bertie Ahern in 2007 is to go under the hammer.
Paisley – who was the Northern Irish First Minister at the time – lent the then-Taoiseach Ahern the musket during their visit to the historic Battle of the Boyne site in Co Meath.
They were shown around the €15m centre at Oldbridge House on 11 May 2007.
The gun wasn’t to end up permanently in Ahern’s possession and went on display in the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre.
The gun is now up for auction through Ross’s Auctioneers and Valuers in Belfast.
The Irish Times reports that the gun was borrowed by Dr Paisley from a private collector in Co Antrim, who has now put it up for auction.
Ross’s describes the gun as a “highly important 17th Century Flintock Carbine James II Cypher”.
It says the rare gun was probably used by a Dragoon Officer of James II at the Siege of Derry.
It estimates the gun will fetch between £15,000 – £25,000 when it goes under the hammer on Thursday 18 June at 10am.
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