Documentary to mark Collins’ death

Little known elements of events on the day Michael Collins was shot will come to light in a new documentary marking the 90th anniversary of his death.

The production, which is headed by theatre producer Maria Young and historian Tim Crowley of the Michael Collins Centre, is to detail how the Irish revolutionary leader was coerced into Beal na mBláth on August 22nd 1922 by the anti-Treaty IRA, after they spotted Collins by chance earlier that day. “A lot of people didn’t know that he was there, however, West Cork was teaming with IRA members at the time, as they effectively had been forced out of the city. He was spotted and as he went up that route, they blocked off all the surrounding roads to make them impassable so he had to come back that same way,” said Ms Young.

She added that the open-top car also meant Collins was not inconspicuous, however, he had chosen that vehicle to give “confidence to the troops that they were winning the war”.

While research has finished on the production, filming is expected to commence in the summer, and will be filmed predominantly along the route that Collins took, leaving the Imperial Hotel at 6.15am to Macroom, Bandon, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and Skibbereen. Collins also retraced the steps of the Essex Regiment as they made their way to Kilmichael on the day of the Tom Barry ambush of November 28th 1920.

Ms Young highlighted that the attempts to get Collins’ body to hospital will also be documented. “It was an absolute trauma getting his body back. Collins was shot at twilight and his troop fell apart. Roads were blocked, they feared sniper attacks and they actually had to carry Collins on their shoulders over fields. It took five hours to get him back and they returned to the city at 2am. However, Collins wasn’t allowed into the Mercy and that’s how he ended up in Shanakiel,” she explained.

She added that there will be an "art house" feel to the documentary, which will be aired later this year. Those with any information on Collins' death can contact Maria Young at mariayoung3@ gmail.com or Tim Crowley on info@michaelcollins.com.