Michael Collins

On this day, 22 August, 103 years ago, during the Irish Civil War, Michael Collins was shot dead at Beal na mBlath in county Cork. Collins was enigmatic figure and leader of during the revolutionary period, and had briefly served as the Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State, as well as commander-in-chief of the National Army. Over the years numerous news stories appeared in Irish newspapers detailing the story of Collins and his demise, particularly every August when his anniversary occurred. This one from 1972 in the Leitrim Observer shows just how powerful the memory of Collins was fifty years after his death:

Michael Collins Beat James Bond

Had Michael Collins survived the Civil War, there can be no doubt that all his strength would have been devoted to uniting Ireland. He was incomparably more important to Ireland in 1922 than John F. Kennedy was to America in 1963. In both cases a handsome embodiment of practical idealism was senselessly killed. So writes Desmond Rushe in a commemorative article in the August issue of "The "Word" magazine, on Michael Collins, who was killed mysteriously at 31 in "a sordid little ambush" in Co. Cork 50 years ago. "By any standards, he was a very remarkable man. For it was he who, almost single-handed, finally smashed the might of the British Empire in Ireland". The manner in which he did so "makes a story of astonishing drama'". Film producer Kevin McClory was net overstating matters when he said. "James Bond does not even rate with Michael Collins for drama and excitement." He worked up to 16 hours a day, and had little time for the joys of life, states Desmond Rushe. He expected his own high standards from others, and' refused to suffer inefficiency patiently. He was disliked by those who could not keep up with him and resented his honestly expressed comments. But the grief at his death "was shared as much by his nominal enemies" as by his supporters. "I cried for poor Collins because I knew we had killed one of our greatest," said Dan Breen, one of the nominal enemies. And another Erskine Childers. called the Beal na mBlath ambush "this supremacy of tragedy".

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchives.com )