He and his party had left Cork City at approx 6am that day on a tour of west Cork. On their return journey to Cork City, through this valley at approx 8pm, the party was ambushed by anti-Treaty forces, who had a roadblock in place.
After an exchange of gunfire by both parties General Michael Collins was shot and killed, dying at the roadside where a memorial now stands.
I wonder how Ireland might have turned out if he had lived?
Eamonn DeValera is reported to have stated in 1966:
"I can't see my way to becoming patron of the Michael Collins Foundation. It is my considered opinion that in the fullness of time history will record the greatness of Collins and it will be recorded at my expense"
Read about him here and if you get the chance see the Liam Neeson movie "Michael Collins".
Apologies for the lack of visits on your blogs, still feeling like hammered faeces, back at work today and will check out some blogs.
Hope you feel better soon! "Michael Collins" is a fine film. I also enjoyed "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". There's also a really interesting boardgame development going on over at ConSimWorld, with Keith Cumiskey's game of "Black and Tan", a very even-handed board game for Clash of Arms. Worth checking out at: http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?50@580.VAbycQTJEHZ.7@.ee6ec34
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you've been under the weather.
ReplyDeleteMichael Collins also appears in the comic book Preacher briefly, where the not yet a vampire (Proinsias) Cassidy kicks him in the groin as he deserts the volunteers in Easter Rising.
Best wishes for recovery.
ReplyDeleteI just read a book about Christianity's role in Irish history which didn't mention the Irish Civil War. I'll have to follow up - can you recommend any good books that handle the Irish Civil War period (be they history or wargaming) as a starting point?
Thanks for posting.
Interesting, get better Angry.
ReplyDeleteHope you are back to full health soon Fran. Thanks for the post. I had never heard of Michael Collins.
ReplyDelete@scottsz: Michael Collins by Tim Pat Coogan, there is an essential histories book called The Irish Civil War by Peter Cotrell I believe.
ReplyDeleteThe story of the Irish Civil War is really sad, expecially because both sides were somehow right about their demands.
ReplyDeleteI've seen both "Michael Collins" and "The wind that shakes the barley", and even if they present a different point of view they're both interesting.
As usual, thanks for the post!
Don't really know a lot about him, not seen the film either, although like some others also said I enjoyed "The wind that shakes the barley", (funny name for a film, especially what its about?)
ReplyDeleteGreat info! Michael Collins is an important film. It's definitely entertaining and is spectacularly photographed.
ReplyDelete"The wind that shakes the barley" is taken from an Irish ballad by Robert Joyce about the 1798 Irish rebellion.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of Tim Pat Coogan's book, it's a very thorough and full-on read. The Michael Collins and The Wind that Shakes the Barley movies are both great, the latter in particular really confronts with its opening scene.
ReplyDeleteDeValera's comment is apt as Collins did appear to be a rather convenient political sacrifice to Devalera's great benefit.
Get well soon.
I agree with Jaccsy, that the film had lovely cinematography and art direction, like most Irish films did in last decade!
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to see the film -- I think Michael Collins is already in my Netflix queue. Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDeletehey its alright man. we all get busy and we know you cant be everywhere at once. :P
ReplyDeleteInteresting film, and a sad period of history
ReplyDeleteI've seen the movie not long ago and I really enjoyed it..
ReplyDeleteHope you'll be back and "full operative" soon! ;)
Interesting post. I hadn't heard of Michael Collins, either.
ReplyDeleteFirst thing I thought of when I saw this was the Liam Neeson movie. What a story.
ReplyDelete@Angry: Many thanks. I'm on it.
ReplyDeleteyou sir are a gentlemen and a scholar.
ReplyDeleteas an irish man,i think collins is the our greatist patriot after james connolly,if collins lived ireland would be Socialist paradice lol.have you ever seen his free state uniform and pistol in The National Museum of ireland??
ReplyDeleteI did see that movie...or was it satisfaction...either one is very powerful!
ReplyDeleteWow, interesting view to this time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to watch this!
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back and stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteAnd these war movies always give me goosebumps. I am watching this.
brushing up on my irish history, thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteFeel better...and thanks for the history lesson. Things that have actually happened are always way more interesting than the things people make up!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon sir.
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