The diaries of Michael Collins have been returned to Cork for the month of August
He was a busy guy, the Big Fella.
Now you can get a fascinating insight into the daily schedule of Michael Collins as Cork County Council, in partnership with the National Archives, brings his diaries 1918-1922 back to Michael Collins House Museum, Clonakilty for August 2024.
This year, the exhibition will focus on August 1922, with the original diary pages for the first six days of August 1922 on display.
The pages detail his daily schedule, meetings and ‘to do’ lists giving an invaluable insight into his day-to-day life. From a note to contact the quartermaster about army mattresses, to meetings to attend, calls to make and what could be read as an essential list of items to pack for a forthcoming trip.
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The diary pages will be accompanied by a recent donation to the National Archives of draft telegrams written by Collins on August 15th, 1922.
“On August 15th, Michael Collins started his day in Limerick Head Quarters with a meeting to ascertain details of the transport available to him after his journey to the south which had been filled with car trouble.” the organisers told us.
“The text of these two telegrams shows how frustrated Collins was by the time he reached Cork later that afternoon. Undoubtedly, he was eager to return to Dublin for Griffith’s funeral the following day.”
The diaries have undergone significant conservation and preservation treatment, archival processing, and digitisation at the National Archives. The exhibition also includes an interactive touchscreen device on which all five diaries can be viewed.
They are on loan to the National Archives by the family of the late Liam and Betty Collins, Clonakilty, Cork and admission to the exhibition is free. Michael Collins House Museum will extend its opening hours for the exhibition, opening Tuesday-Saturday, 9am to 6pm, and Sunday. 10am to 5pm.
