Michael Collins

Irish Patriot (1890-1922)Commander-in-Chief, Irish Free State Army

Michel Collins is mentioned in the book related to the War of Independence. (Chapter Two, Page 26)




Michael Collins was born on 16 October 1890 near Sam's Cross, a small village in West Cork.

He attended national school at Lisavaird, where he had a close relationship with his schoolmaster, who was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The purpose of this association was to oust the British from Ireland. Furthermore, this secret organisation wanted to strengthen the sense of pride of the Irish as a race. This principle held the greatest meaning for Michael Collins.

Michel spent nine years in London. Later on he became the first the secretary and then the president of the IRB.

In 1916 he returned to Dublin to be part of the planned revolt, Easter Rising, which was a military disaster. The IRB was not in the position to defend most of their prominent buildings, like the GPO (General Post Office). As a consequence of the war sixteen rebellion leaders were killed by the British troops, which resulted in a shift in the Irish public opinion. They felt anger at the British reaction. Therefore Black and Tans and the 'Auxies' were used by the British Army to spread fear throughout Ireland, which lead to more violence on both sides.

In 1917, he was elected to the Sinn Fein executive and by mid-1919 had been made President of the IRB Supreme Council. At the same time, he was Minister for Finance in the Dail government and the commander of the IRA.
In October 1921 Collins was sent to Ireland by Eamonn de Valera, who was a leading republican politician in Ireland, to negotiate a treaty. After three months it was decided, that Ireland could govern itself but remain within the British Empire. However, his actual goal was the full independence of Ireland.

"Yerra, they'll never shoot me in my own county", said Michael Collins. Nevertheless, he was killed on August 22nd, 1922 in Beal na mBlath in West Cork.

Additional Information:

• He had a love for older people and children.
  
• In 1920 he was wanted by the British and had a price of 10,000 stg. on his head.


• Provoked England to war.
  
• Collins believed that physical force was the only route to independence.

http://www2.cruzio.com/~sbarrett/mcollins.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/michael_collins.htm