Michael Collins (1890 - 1922)
- Michael Collins Irish patriot and soldier was born in Clonakilty, Co Cork on 16th October 1890.
From 1906 to 1916 Michael worked as a clerk in London, where he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a revolutionary group working for Irish independence from British rule.
In 1916, Michael returned to Dublin to take part in the planned Easter insurrection. He received a Volunteer's uniform and as Captain Michael Collins he was second in command to Joseph Mary Plunkett in the General Post Office during Easter Week. Collins made no secret that he admired the realism of a man like Sean Mac Diarmada and though he played a minor part in the Rising, his sense of duty and clear-headedness were remembered.
Following the Rising, Michael, as a prisoner of war, was sent to Richmond Barracks and later to Frongoch internment camp in Wales. He returned home to Ireland in December 1916. But it was at Frongoch where Michael Collins' ability as an organizer became recognized and immediately following his release, he rebuilt the IRB.
In 1917, he was elected to the Sinn Fein executive. During 1917 and 1918, his activities included (a) creating an intelligence network, (b) organising a national loan to fund a rebellion, (c) creating an assassination squad ("The Twelve Apostles") and (d) an arms-smuggling operation. By 1920, Michael Collins was wanted by the British and had a price of £10,000 stg. on his head.
In 1919, Michael Collins personally, with the help of his friend Harry Boland, another IRB man, went to Lincoln gaol in England to help Eamon de Valera escape.
After de Valera left for America in June 1919 on an 18 month fund raising tour, Collins became the dominant figure in the revolution.
At various times, Michael Collins held positions as (a) President of the Supreme Council of the IRB, (b) A leader, but not Commander-in-Chief of the IRA, (c) Sinn Féin member of the Dail, (d) Commander-in-Chief of the Free State Army, (e) Minister of Finance in the 1919 Provisional Government of the RoI, and (f) Cabinet member in the first post-treaty government.
He is best know for his brilliant work during the Anglo-Irish war in setting up the IRA's extremely effective intelligence and counter-intelligence unit which on in-numerable occasions saved the IRA forces to fight another day. He and Griffith were the leaders of the team that negotiated the treaty that gave near independence to the 26 counties, while partitioning off 6 counties.
During the post-treaty war, he was ambushed and killed by anti-treaty guerillas at Beal na mBláth, Co Cork on 22nd August 1922. Had he lived, he certainly would have competed with de Valera for political dominance in the Irish state.
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