Michael Collins
Michael Collins
1. On the16th October 1890 Michael Collins was born in West Cork near Sam's Cross, named after Sam Wallace, a local highwayman. Michael was born to father Michael Senior and mother Marianne O'Brien. Even though there was a 52-year age difference it did not stop them from making Michael the youngest of 8 children. Collins' father, Michael Senior, said on his deathbed "Mind that child", pointing to his six-year-old son. "He'll be a great man yet, he'll do great things for Ireland." His elderly father's words were to be thought of as a hollow prophecy, but there was still much modeling and learning for the young Collins to go through before he would emerge as a central figure in the uprising of Irish independence for the first time in 750 years. Two figures were very influential to Collins growing up was local schoolmaster, Denis Lyons, and blacksmith, James Santry. Both instilled an acute sense of history and nationalism in the bright and lively young boy. As a child, Collins was fiercely competitive and was enraged at defeat in any form. At school he excelled and at the age of 15 passed the Boy Clerkship for the British Post Office. So he packed his things and moved. Collins lived with another Post Office employee, which happened to be his sister Hannie, in West Kensington. Collins through his sister, mixed with London society fitting in well. Although he was known to Address face to face anyone making a derogatory remark about Ireland. Joining the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) - a group that promoted Irish culture and language - and the Gaelic Athletic League (GAL) where he played football and hurling furthered his nationalism. What he lacked in skill in these games, he more than made up for with his natural aggression and willingness to win.
2. It was in November 1909 when nationalism really began to be favored when being sworn into the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) at Barnsbury Hall. At the age of 19 Collins had little time for the
1. On the16th October 1890 Michael Collins was born in West Cork near Sam's Cross, named after Sam Wallace, a local highwayman. Michael was born to father Michael Senior and mother Marianne O'Brien. Even though there was a 52-year age difference it did not stop them from making Michael the youngest of 8 children. Collins' father, Michael Senior, said on his deathbed "Mind that child", pointing to his six-year-old son. "He'll be a great man yet, he'll do great things for Ireland." His elderly father's words were to be thought of as a hollow prophecy, but there was still much modeling and learning for the young Collins to go through before he would emerge as a central figure in the uprising of Irish independence for the first time in 750 years. Two figures were very influential to Collins growing up was local schoolmaster, Denis Lyons, and blacksmith, James Santry. Both instilled an acute sense of history and nationalism in the bright and lively young boy. As a child, Collins was fiercely competitive and was enraged at defeat in any form. At school he excelled and at the age of 15 passed the Boy Clerkship for the British Post Office. So he packed his things and moved. Collins lived with another Post Office employee, which happened to be his sister Hannie, in West Kensington. Collins through his sister, mixed with London society fitting in well. Although he was known to Address face to face anyone making a derogatory remark about Ireland. Joining the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) - a group that promoted Irish culture and language - and the Gaelic Athletic League (GAL) where he played football and hurling furthered his nationalism. What he lacked in skill in these games, he more than made up for with his natural aggression and willingness to win.
2. It was in November 1909 when nationalism really began to be favored when being sworn into the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) at Barnsbury Hall. At the age of 19 Collins had little time for the
Bibliography: Publisher: St. Martin 's Press, Inc. (February 1998) Newspaper Articles Author: John Lloyd. (1996) August 28, 1998 v127 n4400 p10 (2) Paper: U.S