Profile of Volunteer Eddie "Starchy" Grant

Charles Edward Grant, or Eddie as most people knew him, was born on 16th August 1956 in Newry. He had six sisters and four brothers. His father Dominic and the rest of the family experienced personal grief when at the young age of 43, his wife Kitty suddenly died. This event put immense pressure on the whole family. Eddie’s sister Margie stepped into the “mother’s role”.

Eddie or Starchy as he was known to his mates lived at Main Avenue, Derrybeg Park. He attended St Patrick’s primary school in the Meadow and then went on to Newry High School on the Ashgrove Road. When Eddie left school he worked at the local meat processing plant (FMC) on the Warrenpoint Road. Eddie used this employment as a stop gap while waiting to join the Merchant Navy. Prior to the outbreak of the “Troubles” Eddie, like any others at that time joined the T.A. Cadets, which had its base on the Downshire Road in Newry and here he gained valuable military experience. Starchy was known in the Derrybeg area as a mixer and a messer always getting up to devilment of some sort. Eddie grew up with a group of friends who also took the same decision to join the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann. They became a very effective Active Service Unit within the IRA. Eddie enjoyed all types of outdoor activities especially camping. He also joined St Catherine’s Band in Newry where he played he symbals.

Eddie came from a staunch Republican family. His cousin Paul Smith died at Edentubber in 1957 and his uncle John McEnerney was a Vice Commandant of the 4th Northern Division IRA. When Eddie first decided to offer his services to the Republican cause, he attended several meetings in the Republican Club with his friends, but he quickly decided that his loyalty lay with the Provisional IRA. No task was too great for Eddie and he always to the fore when volunteering for active service.

On December 24th 1973, Eddie and his comrade Brendan Quinn were killed in an accidental explosion at Clarke’s Bar, Monaghan Street Newry (now the Armaghdown Bar). Unfortunately a civilian also died alongside the two volunteers.

Volunteer Eddie Grant will forever be remembered with pride by his family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement.