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A photo of Michael Collins

Michael Collins 1890 - 1922

Michael John Collins of Cork, CO Ireland was born on October 16, 1890 in Woodfield, County Cork County, and died at age 31 years old on August 22, 1922 in Cork. Michael Collins was buried on August 28, 1922 at Glasnevin Cemetery Finglas Rd, in Dublin, D.
Michael John Collins
Cork, CO Ireland
October 16, 1890
Woodfield, County Cork County, Ireland
August 22, 1922
Cork, CO, Ireland
Male
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Michael John Collins' History: 1890 - 1922

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  • Introduction

    Michael Collins, born on October 16, 1890, was an Irish revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in the fight for Irish independence from British rule in the early 20th century. He is remembered today as one of the most important and influential figures in modern Irish history. Born in County Cork, Collins grew up in a family with strong nationalist beliefs, and his early experiences of British oppression in Ireland fueled his passion for the cause of Irish freedom. Collins quickly rose to prominence within the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and became a key figure in the Easter Rising of 1916, which sought to establish an Irish Republic. Following the rebellion, Collins was imprisoned but later released, and went on to lead the Irish War of Independence against British forces, using guerrilla tactics to great effect. Despite his successes, Collins remained a controversial figure, both within Ireland and abroad, and his life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated in 1922 at the age of just 31. Today, Collins is remembered as a hero of the Irish independence movement, a fierce and determined leader who helped to pave the way for the establishment of an independent Irish state. Michael Collins was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Ireland, on August 28, 1922, six days after his death. The funeral was attended by thousands of mourners, including many of Collins' fellow revolutionaries and political leaders from across Ireland. Collins' grave in Glasnevin Cemetery has become a place of pilgrimage for Irish nationalists and those interested in Irish history. The site is marked by a large stone cross and is regularly visited by politicians, historians, and members of the public who wish to pay their respects to one of Ireland's most important and influential revolutionary leaders.
  • 10/16
    1890

    Birthday

    October 16, 1890
    Birthdate
    Woodfield, County Cork County Ireland
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Michael Collins was born into a family of Irish Catholic farmers in County Cork, Ireland. His father, Michael John Collins, was a small farmer and amateur historian who instilled in his son a deep appreciation for Irish culture and history. Collins' mother, Marianne O'Brien, was a homemaker and devout Catholic who also played a significant role in shaping his worldview. The Collins family had a long history of involvement in Irish nationalist movements, and Michael Collins grew up in a household where the struggle for Irish independence was a frequent topic of discussion. His uncle, Patrick Collins, had been a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret society dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland, and Michael Collins himself would go on to become a key figure in the Irish independence movement. Collins' ethnicity was Irish, and he was raised in a predominantly Catholic community where the Irish language and traditional customs were still widely practiced. As a young man, Collins became involved in Gaelic sports and cultural activities, which further strengthened his connection to his Irish heritage. Despite the hardships and discrimination faced by Irish Catholics under British rule, Michael Collins' family and community instilled in him a sense of pride in his Irish heritage and a determination to fight for the freedom of his people.
  • Nationality & Locations

    Collins' nationality was Irish, and he was a proud patriot who believed that the Irish people had the right to govern themselves and determine their own destiny. He was a key figure in the Irish independence movement, and played a crucial role in the establishment of an independent Irish state. Throughout his life, Collins was based primarily in Ireland, where he organized and led the fight against British forces. He was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret society dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland, and later served as Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence.
  • Early Life & Education

    As a young boy, Collins attended the local national school, where he received a basic education in reading, writing, and arithmetic. After completing his primary education, Collins went on to attend secondary school at Clonakilty National School, where he was an outstanding student. He excelled in a range of subjects, including history, literature, and mathematics, and showed a particular talent for languages, mastering both Irish and English fluently. Despite his academic success, however, Collins did not pursue a university education, choosing instead to become involved in Irish nationalist politics at a young age. He became a member of the Gaelic League, a cultural organization dedicated to the promotion of the Irish language and culture, and later joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret society dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. Throughout his life, Michael Collins remained a self-taught man, with a deep love of books and a passion for learning. He was an avid reader and wrote extensively on political and historical subjects, including a number of articles and essays on the Irish independence movement. Despite his lack of formal education, Collins was widely respected for his intelligence, wit, and strategic acumen, and was regarded as one of the most brilliant and effective guerrilla leaders of his time.
  • Religious Beliefs

    Collins was a devout Catholic and attended mass regularly, but was also known to be tolerant of other religions and beliefs.
  • Military Service

    Michael Collins had significant military experience as a revolutionary leader during the Irish War of Independence. In 1916, he served as a commander in the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin during the Easter Rising, a failed rebellion against British rule in Ireland. After the Rising, Collins was imprisoned for several months before being released as part of a general amnesty. Following his release, Collins became involved in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), an organization dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. He was appointed as Director of Intelligence for the IRA and was responsible for organizing guerrilla attacks on British forces. Collins was known for his strategic and tactical skills and became one of the most effective and feared leaders of the Irish independence movement. Collins played a crucial role in the guerrilla campaign against the British, coordinating the IRA's operations and leading successful attacks on British troops and installations. He also helped to develop new tactics and strategies for the IRA, including the use of hit-and-run attacks and ambushes. Despite his success as a military leader, Collins was known to be deeply troubled by the violence of the conflict and sought to negotiate a peace settlement with the British. In 1921, he was appointed as the chief negotiator for the Irish side in talks that led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State. After the establishment of the Free State, Collins was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Irish Army, overseeing the demobilization of the IRA and the establishment of a professional military force.
  • Professional Career

    Michael Collins did not have a formal profession as he dedicated his life to the cause of Irish independence. However, throughout his life, he held a variety of positions that allowed him to support himself and contribute to the nationalist cause. As a young man, Collins worked as a clerk in London, where he was exposed to the political ideas and organizing tactics of the Irish diaspora. Upon returning to Ireland, he became involved in various nationalist organizations, including the Gaelic League and the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and worked as a freelance journalist, writing for a number of newspapers and publications. During the Easter Rising of 1916, Collins served as a commander in the GPO (General Post Office) in Dublin, playing a key role in the military planning and execution of the rebellion. After the failure of the Rising, Collins was imprisoned for a brief period before being released as part of a general amnesty. Following his release, Collins became involved in the Irish War of Independence, serving as Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and playing a crucial role in organizing guerrilla attacks on British forces. He also served as a member of the Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament that declared Ireland's independence from Britain in 1919. After the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, Collins was appointed as Minister for Finance, where he played a central role in developing Ireland's economic policies and infrastructure. He also continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Irish Army, overseeing the demobilization of the IRA and the establishment of a professional military force. Despite his short life, Michael Collins held a wide range of positions and played a variety of roles in the struggle for Irish independence.
  • Personal Life & Family

    Michael was a private and reserved person, and not much is known about his personal life. He was never married and had no children, and was known to be deeply devoted to the cause of Irish independence. Collins had a close relationship with his family, particularly his mother and his sister, who supported him throughout his political career. He was also known to have a close circle of friends, including many of his fellow revolutionaries and members of the Irish literary community. Despite his busy political schedule, Collins was known to enjoy leisure activities such as reading, hiking, and playing cards with his friends. He was also a skilled musician and played the flute, which he sometimes used to entertain his comrades during their long nights on the run.He was a champion of Irish culture and language, and worked tirelessly to promote and preserve Irish traditions and folklore. Tragically, Michael Collins' life was cut short at the age of 31, when he was assassinated during the Irish Civil War in 1922. His death was a devastating blow to the Irish independence movement, and he remains a revered figure in Irish history to this day.
  • 08/22
    1922

    Death

    August 22, 1922
    Death date
    He was traveling in County Cork when his convoy was ambushed by anti-treaty forces. Collins was shot and killed, along with several members of his escort.
    Cause of death
    Cork, CO Ireland
    Death location
  • 08/28
    1922

    Gravesite & Burial

    August 28, 1922
    Funeral date
    Glasnevin Cemetery Finglas Rd, in Dublin, D D11 XA32, Ireland
    Burial location
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Michael Collins - Irish leader
Michael Collins - Irish leader
Michael Collins was born on October 16th 1890, and died August 22nd 1922. Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader who played various leadership roles in Irish government including Minister for Finance, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, Commander-in-chief for the National Army and President of the Irish Republic.

Michael Collins was killed on 22 August 1922 during an ambush while he was still engaged to Kitty Kiernan.
Date & Place: in Ireland
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Michael Collins' Family Tree & Friends

Michael Collins' Family Tree

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