The Shankill Gold Rush

Assume Nothing: The Shankill Gold Rush

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The story behind a huge stash of gold coins, found on a demolition site in Belfast in 1969

Author Glenn Patterson visits the Lower Shankill Road to uncover the story behind a stash of gold coins, found by children in a demolition site more than 50 years earlier.

In the summer of 1969, weeks before the Troubles would ignite, children playing in the rubble of a demolition site struck gold! While searching for treasure hundreds, maybe thousands of gold sovereigns, hidden and forgotten years before, tumbled to the ground from a chimney stack. More than 50 years later, author Glenn Patterson visits the Lower Shankill Road to find out who the coins belonged to. Why were they hidden? And where are they now?

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Assume Nothing: The Shankill Gold Rush: The Find

The Find

BBC Radio 4 - Assume Nothing: The Shankill Gold Rush, The Find

A child, a chimney and the discovery of a lifetime.

1969. Young Billy Stevenson climbs the chimney of a half-demolished house. He’s about to drop back down when he notices a tin box hidden in the brick. Could it be treasure?

In the summer of 1969, weeks before the Troubles would ignite, children playing in the rubble of a demolition site struck gold! While searching for treasure hundreds, maybe thousands of gold sovereigns, hidden and forgotten years before, tumbled to the ground from a chimney stack. More than 50 years later, author Glenn Patterson visits the Lower Shankill Road to find out who the coins belonged to. Why were they hidden? And where are they now?

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson
Sound by Bill Maul
Producer Sarah McGlinchey
Executive Editor Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland Production for Radio 4

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Assume Nothing: The Shankill Gold Rush

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