Michael Collins, A man Of Eire (Ireland)
I am very proud to highlight the life of one of Eire's greatest men.
Being related to Michael Collins through marriage, I feel honoured to include him as one of my own
family. I have shown photographs of most of my family on this website, some having fought
during wars, others having died during them, or after fighting in them. I am including
website links here for Michael Collins also, or in his own language, - MICEAL SEAN O' COILEAM
To listen whilst reading, to part of a song dedicated to him, please use this linkClick here to play music
Michael Collins The Leader
Michael Collins History
Michael Collins Photo Gallery
Although he fought against the English suppression of Ireland, he also died during the
troubles and was one of Ireland's greatest men, who, after winning his land from the clutches
of England, was murdered by one of De Valera's gunmen in 1922.
De Valera was an American, who tried to organise the men of Eire to fight against the
British suppression, and the brutal use of British soldiers and the "Black And Tans", was
the cause of the poeple of Eire to fight against this suppression.
U-Tube video Link
Michael Collins was an Eireian, and over time, gradually got to be a Liutenant Commander
of the forces in his own country, organising most of any of what was his countries' only
way to try to combat the British suppression, being head of the Brotherhood of the Irish Republic. He nearly succeeded in bringing peace to
his country, but it was thought that De Valera and other trouble-causers had him shot.
Devalera was jealous of his fame, and even after Michael's death used his position to have him buried in a part of Dublin's Gasnevin Cemetery that was out of the way, and in a not too noticeable position, away from view.
Recent developments to the entrance of the cemetery will mean that when the new entrance gate is finished, the grave of Michael Collins will be on full view to all who enter, and give back the pride of place of view that he deserves.
I have included a photograph taken very shortly after the anual rememberence Sunday of this great man.
The red and white bunches of flowers represent the Cork County colours.
He met with the English government and had the fortune of securing Eire as a seperate country
from Britain
Sir Winston Churchil had great respect for him, and his courage in trying to solve
his countries problems.
He was the only man to claim back Eire from the British, although his only disapointment
was that LLoyd George and Winston Churchil would not give up the "Six Counties" of Northern Ireland, so although
his homeland was now free, it was still divided into two, - Eire, and Northern Ireland, or Ulster, which, later, had
many more complications to come, and much bloodshed also, including Michael's murder at Beal Na mBlath, near Clonakilty.
As England fought against probable invaders during the last World War, so Michael Collins
fought for HIS country. He was killed doing that, but if only the British had given up it's
"Northern Ireland" and included it to be a joint EIRE, there would have been peace much
earlier, and still today, with stupidity from the Northern Ireland "Loyalists", and the
British government, the peace is still not finalised.
If you have enjoyed this page, please try to view the movies "Michael Collins", or "The Wind That Shakes The Barley", which are available on DVD.
It is strange that, as another member of my family, again through marriage, was a Warrant Officer (WO1) in the British Army, and took charge at the War Office where his priority was news from Northern Ireland in more recent troubles.
Although being on different sides, as it were, I feel no difference in my pride towards any family member at all. They all helped to give us a new tommorow.
I am especially proud in the fact that Michael gave up the most valuable thing anyone could, for his country, as others in my family did.
Any comments or contact can be made from the websites I have linked to in Eire.
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Page Updated 3rd-September-2008