Author: Russell Shortt

Michael Collins was born in Sam’s Cross, near Clonakilty in Co. Cork, Ireland in 1890. At the age of fifteen he emigrated to London, taking the British Civil Service Examination and securing employment with the Post Office. He joined the London GAA where he became influenced by Irish nationalism, joining the IRB – a secret, oath-bound society dedicated to achieving Irish independence. During the 1916 Rising, he fought alongside Pearse at the GPO, after which he was arrested and imprisoned at Frongoch internment camp in North Wales. He was very influential in activity at the camp and by the time of his release he had become one of the leading figures in Sinn Fein. By October 1917 he was on the Executive Committee of Sinn Fein and Director of Organisation of the Irish Volunteers. He was elected MP for Cork South during the 1918 General Election for the House of Commons, but in line with Sinn Fein policy at the time, he refused to take his seat. In 1919, he was elected President of the IRB, Director of Intelligence of the IRA and Minister of Finance in Dail Eireann. He was part of the delegation sent to London in 1921 to attend negotiations following the truce in the War of Independence, the result of which was the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The Treaty divided the people of Ireland and the country was plunged into a bitter Civil War, the Pro-Treaty side was led by Collins as Commander-in-Chief of the National Army. He was shot and killed during a gun battle in his native Co. Cork.

About the Author:

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Michael Collins – the Big Fellow in Irish Politics