Béal na mBláth ambush 22 August 1922

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.

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.

Direction signage at Béal na mBláth. crossroads

 Before I got the to monument I stopped at  Béal na mBláth. This is the location of the Diamond Bar ( formerly Long’s Pub) and Murray’s Farmhouse reputed to be where IRA leaders where when the Michael Collins convoy passed through on the morning of 22 August 1922.

 

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.

Michael Collin's grave in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin 

The 22 August 2022, will mark the 100^th 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.  It comprises a freestanding Celtic revival cross on carved stone with Celtic motif inscriptions. The inscription reads: Michael O Coilean D'eag 22ad Luguara 1922.

 

 The cross is founded on a raised brick plinth.

view of monument looking in direction of Bandon

 

 

view of monument looking in direction of Béal na mBláth
 

 

This point is noted as the most likely position Collins was shot at around 8pm on 22 August 1922

 

information signage at the monument

 

Béal na mBláth commemoration

 Each year there is a commemoration at the monument. In 2016 , the centenary year of the 1916 Rising the President of Ireland delivered an oration at the Béal na mBláth commemoration  and is well worth a read. It can be found on the website for the President of Ireland.  The oration is titled “ remembering Michael Collins in 2016”  My next visit will hopefully be to one of the commemorations.