Micheál Martin is the first Fianna Fáil leader to ever address the event:photo:RTEMonday 22 August 2022 marks one of the more significant dates in the Irish decade of centenaries, the one-hundredth anniversary of the death of the revolutionary leader, Michael Collins.
The death of Michael Collins in 1922 deprived Ireland of one its greatest hopes of reconciliation, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The Taoiseach was addressing a crowd of thousands who gathered at Béal na Bláth in Co Cork to commemorate the centenary of the death of Michael Collins in an ambush.
The event is commemorated on the nearest Sunday every year, but this year, the ceremony will mark a historic first.
Michael Collins "deserves our appreciation and he deserves to be regarded as one of the finest Irishmen to have ever lived," said Mr. Martin, the first Fianna Fáil leader to ever speak at the ceremony.
Michael Collins had a profound, long-lasting, and good impact on our nation in his brief 31 years, Mr. Martin addressed the crowd.
He was an inspiring leader who could also create a new government from scratch in the midst of a brutal struggle.
He is a major factor in how we were able to create a nation that has improved even though it still faces many difficulties.
A seven-person Guard of Honour from the Defence Forces parade was inspected by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the event.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says perhaps the greatest tragedy of Michael Collins' death is "that it deprived us of our best hope for reconciliation." pic.twitter.com/pVcC09iyAF
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 21, 2022
Leo Varadkar, the head of Fine Gael, and Mr. Martin spoke at the ceremony in Béal na Bláth today for the first time as leaders of the two biggest parties in the State—parties that were created by the opposing factions in the Civil War.
The ambush location, according to Mr. Varadkar, is a "sad site of memory for so many connected with Michael Collins," he said in his speech.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has described Michael Collins as "the great prophet of freedom". He says the commemoration at Beál na Bláth is an opportunity to reflect on what Ireland has achieved, where we have fallen short, and "renew our determination to do better." pic.twitter.com/9cRORJnyla
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 21, 2022
"It is a location of death, permanently linked to a needless death in a pointless conflict where brothers turned against brothers.
"On the 100th anniversary of his passing, we pay tribute on behalf of a grateful people and assemble here to express our gratitude. Ireland was the focus of both Michael Collins' life and his legacy, according to Mr. Varadkar.
Eleanor Moore, Collins' great-grandniece, also spoke to the audience. She thanked everyone for coming and said the weekend had been "wonderful for the family."
Eleanor Moore, the great grand-niece of Michael Collins, said the commemoration weekend has been "amazing for the family" and they have met and chatted to many followers of Collins and his legacy. pic.twitter.com/hNSvSrf4T5
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 21, 2022
After that, wreaths were placed at the Michael Collins memorial at Béal na Bláth, and 'The Last Post' was performed before the National Anthem. Over the location, the national flag was also flown.
The Béal na Bláth monument location has undergone major renovations.
The road has been made narrower, and a new, more commanding platform has been constructed to better frame the memorial cross.
Sliabh na Mon moving into position. pic.twitter.com/zCq7SIibH4
— Shane McElhatton (@s_mcelhatton) August 21, 2022
The alleged death site of Michael Collins is now marked by a new stone monument.
The new marker stone is intended to dispel the misconception that the memorial cross is located exactly where it should be.
On Monday, August 22, 1865, just over two months had passed since the start of the Civil War, the ceremony honours what happened on that day.
The pro-Treaty National Army had completely crushed the anti-Treaty IRA's attempts to seize cities and towns. Dublin had been overthrown first, and subsequently Munster's towns and cities had been taken.
Michael Collins was on a tour of inspection of West Cork on 22 August
Liam Lynch, the chief of staff for the IRA, ordered a return to the guerilla warfare strategies used during the War of Independence, with a focus on ambushing Free State forces and convoys.
On August 22, National Army Commander-in-Chief Michael Collins visited and inspected West Cork.
He was accompanied by about 20 guys in a compact convoy that included an armoured truck, an armoured automobile, an open touring car, and a motorcycle.
An IRA scout noticed him on his way into west Cork that morning, and an ambush was prepared when he passed through Béal na Bláth.
The following evening, Michael Collins' convoy made the fatal error of returning over the same route, which led directly to an ambush at Béal na Bláth.
After it was determined that the convoy would not, in fact, be returning in that direction, the IRA unit mounting the ambush had already started to leave the area.
Only a few men were left in the ambush position when the convoy appeared.
In an intense exchange of gunfire, Michael Collins was shot through the head and died almost instantly.
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