Michael Collins monument near Béal na mBláth, County Cork Ireland
Visit to the site on 2 August 2017
The Visit
On 2 August 2017, I visited the Michael Collins monument near
Béal na mBláth. I was something I have wanted
to do for many many years. It was mid-afternoon when my family and I arrived at
significant historical sites of Irish History. The road was quiet and there was
nobody else around. All I could hear where the sounds of nature.
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| view of road from monument |
It allowed me
time to reflect upon this period of our history and to recall what part this man
played in the Ireland we have today and the one we want for our future. I hope
I make it back for the 100th Anniversary in 2022. For anyone interested in
Ireland and its history, I recommend that you visit this site and the nearby Béal
na mBláth.
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| Direction signage at Béal na mBláth. crossroads |
It was one of the IRA
sentry’s on duty at the Béal na mBláth cross roads that recognized Michael
Collins in the convoy. He informed his senior officers and thereafter the
ambush was planned for later that day when the convoy returned along the road
in the direction of Macroom.
I also went in
to look around the Michael Collins gift shop across the road. The lady in the
shop was very friendly and we had a good chat. Well worth a visit .
Some Background to Michael Collins
On the 22 August 1922, General Michael Collins was killed in
at ambush in the townsland of Gleannarouge west near Béal na mBláth.
Each year on the Sunday closest to August 22, there is an annual commemoration.
Michael Collins is a huge figure in Irish history. This is much written about
him and historians are still intrigued by his life and role in Irish and world
history. You can be sure that everyone
in Ireland knows of Michael Collins. He is buried in Glasnevin cemetery in
Dublin and not a day goes past when flowers are not left on his grave.
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| Michael Collin's grave in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin |
The 22
August 2022, will mark the 100th Anniversary of his death and many
people will still be divided about the role he played and decisions he made. He
was in the GPO in 1916 as aide de camp to Joseph Plunkett (one of the
signatories of the 1916 proclamation), he was imprisoned in Frongoch internment
camp after the Rising. In 1918 general election Sinn Féin swept to victory and Collins was elected
in Cork south. The new parliament, Dáil Éireann met in the Mansion House,
Dublin in January 1919. Collins became Minister for Finance. Of course the new government
of Ireland were not recognized. In January 1919 the War of Independence started
and Collins played a significant role. He directed the gruella warfare waged
against the British and in 1921 a truces was called. Collins was part of the
Treaty negotiations with Britain and in signing the Treaty in December 1921 he
acknowledged he had signed his death warrant. After the Treaty he was the
Commander in Chief of the Free State Army. In June 1922 the Free State Army
fired on the Fours Courts, Dublin that were seized by Anti –Treaty IRA. The Civil
War in Ireland had begun. However, it is not known if Collins actually gave the
orders to shell the Four Courts. Ultimately, this led to the ambush and killing
of Michael Collins on 22 August 1922. He
was 31 years old when he died. He lived through one of the most important era’s
of Ireland’s life. He fought for Irish freedom. He fought for the Irish people
to live in a country free from foreign rule.
The Michael Collins monument
The Michael Collins monument was erected
in 1924.The monument is located a short distance from Béal na mBláth and the coordinates are 51°48'48.8"N 8°51'23.3"W.
The cross is founded on a raised brick plinth.
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| view of monument looking in direction of Bandon |
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| view of monument looking in direction of Béal na mBláth |
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| This point is noted as the most likely position Collins was shot at around 8pm on 22 August 1922 |
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| information signage at the monument |
Béal na mBláth commemoration
