Michael Collins And The Irish Free State

An evaluation of the contribution made by Michael Collins to the making of the Irish state. A series of specially commissioned essays, written by some of Ireland's leading historians (academic and popular), on the contribution made by Michael Collins to the making of the Irish state. This is a professional evaluation of Michael Collins which brings to light his multi-faceted and complex character. The contributors examine Collins as Minister for Finance, his role in intelligence, his policy towards the north, his career as Commander-in-Chief, the origins of the Civil War, his relationship w.

In these essays and speeches Michael Collins spellled out his vision for the future of Ireland, as well as his analysis of its past. Some of them are written in the anguish of a civil war which he struggled so hard to avoid, and in which he saw his country torn apart while seeking to establish and defend democracy, liberty and stability. Michael Collins' overall vision is still inspiring, he sees the necessity for open trade with overseas markets, for investment and management, and for putting the "national economy on a sound footing" as a priority. Noted historian Tim Pat Coogan provides an introduction to the man and his times, giving an insight into the times that prompted him to write his articles and speeches.

How the British Secret Service failed to neutralize Sinn Fein and the IRA

To Michael Collins the signing of the Treaty between Ireland and Britain in 1921 was a 'stepping stone'. Eamon de Valera called it 'treason'. The controversy surrounding the Treaty which led to the Civil War of 1922-1923 is examined in this compelling study of the controversy surrounding the infamous negotiations.

Michael Collins and the Making of a New Ireland, which was first published in 1926 as two volumes, was written by Piaras Beaslai, a Major-General in the Sinn Fein army who was an intimate friend of Michael Collins and his senior in the inner councils of the most extreme section of the party. Michael Collins (1890-1922) was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922 until his assassination in August 1922. Collins’ family had republican connections reaching back to the 1798 rebellion. He moved to London in 1906 and became a member of the London GAA, through which he became associated with the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Gaelic League. He returned to Ireland in 1916 and fought in the Easter Rising. He was subsequently imprisoned in the Frongoch internment camp as a prisoner of war, but was released in December 1916. After his release, Collins rose through the ranks of the Irish Volunteers and Sinn Féin. He became a Teachta Dála for South Cork in 1918, and was appointed Minister for Finance in the First Dáil. He was present when the Dáil convened on 21 Jan. 1919 and declared the independence of the Irish Republic. In the ensuing War of Independence, he was Director of Organisation and Adj.-Gen. for the Irish Volunteers, and Director of Intelligence of the Irish Republican Army. He gained fame as a guerrilla warfare strategist, planning and directing many successful attacks on British forces. After the July 1921 ceasefire, Collins and Arthur Griffith were sent to London by Eamon de Valera to negotiate peace terms. A provisional government was formed under his chairmanship in early 1922 but was soon disrupted by the Irish Civil War, in which Collins was commander-in-chief of the National Army. He was shot and killed in an ambush by anti-Treaty forces on 22 Aug. 1922.

Michael Collins and the Making of a New Ireland, which was first published in 1926 as two volumes, was written by Piaras Beaslai, a Major-General in the Sinn Fein army who was an intimate friend of Michael Collins and his senior in the inner councils of the most extreme section of the party. Michael Collins (1890-1922) was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922 until his assassination in August 1922. Collins’ family had republican connections reaching back to the 1798 rebellion. He moved to London in 1906 and became a member of the London GAA, through which he became associated with the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Gaelic League. He returned to Ireland in 1916 and fought in the Easter Rising. He was subsequently imprisoned in the Frongoch internment camp as a prisoner of war, but was released in December 1916. After his release, Collins rose through the ranks of the Irish Volunteers and Sinn Féin. He became a Teachta Dála for South Cork in 1918, and was appointed Minister for Finance in the First Dáil. He was present when the Dáil convened on 21 Jan. 1919 and declared the independence of the Irish Republic. In the ensuing War of Independence, he was Director of Organisation and Adj.-Gen. for the Irish Volunteers, and Director of Intelligence of the Irish Republican Army. He gained fame as a guerrilla warfare strategist, planning and directing many successful attacks on British forces. After the July 1921 ceasefire, Collins and Arthur Griffith were sent to London by Eamon de Valera to negotiate peace terms. A provisional government was formed under his chairmanship in early 1922 but was soon disrupted by the Irish Civil War, in which Collins was commander-in-chief of the National Army. He was shot and killed in an ambush by anti-Treaty forces on 22 Aug. 1922.

On 14 April 1922 a group of 200 anti-Treaty IRA men occupied the Four Courts in Dublin in defiance of the Provisional Government. Michael Collins, who wanted to avoid civil war at all costs, did not attack them until June 1922, when British pressure forced his hand. This led to the Irish Civil War as fighting broke out in Dublin between the anti-Treaty IRA and the Provisional Government's troops. Under Collins' supervision, the Free State rapidly took control of the capital. In 'Michael Collins and the Civil War', Ryle Dwyer sheds new light on Collins' role in the Civil War, showing how in the weeks and months leading to the campaign he secretly persisted with guerrilla tactics in border areas. This involved not only assassination but also kidnapping and hostage taking. In confronting those tactics on behalf of the British, for instance, Winston Churchill engaged in similar behaviour, including killing and hostage-taking. But until now much of this has conveniently been swept under the carpet of history.