Taoiseach to address Collins memorial

History will be made on Sunday when the first incumbent Taoiseach gives the oration at the 90th anniversary commemoration of General Michael Collins’ death.

And his original armoured car will also be on display at Béal na mBláth for the first time since he was fatally wounded by a unknown IRA sniper on Aug 22, 1922.

The Defence Forces have restored the car, known as Sliabh na mBan, to its former glory and it will be at his memorial in time for the commemoration, which starts at 3pm.

Enda Kenny will provide the oration in front of what is expected to be the biggest attendance in living memory.

Dermot Collins, chairman of the commemoration committee, said he was delighted the Taoiseach had accepted the invitation, and believes that in excess of 4,000 people will attend.

The army recently cleared a vantage point across from the monument to cope with the expected crowds and covered it with wood chippings.

“Unfortunately, the rain in the past few days has washed the chippings away. So now that ground is very muddy and potentially dangerous. It’s unlikely we can use it,” said Mr Collins.

The Defence Forces will play a large role in the ceremony, as they did for the 50th and 75th commemorations.

Four wreaths will be laid at Collins’ monument.

They will be laid by the Taoiseach, Minister for Defence Alan Shatter, the Defence Forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Sean McCann, and Frank Metcalfe, who is honorary secretary of the commemoration committee.

“The Taoiseach will inspect a guard of honour from the Defence Forces when he arrives and the Defence Forces will also fire an artillery salute in honour of Michael Collins,” Mr Collins said. “There will also be a band recital from the army, a guard of honour parade and a lone piper’s lament.

“It will probably be the biggest commemoration of Michael Collins in living memory.

“I hope we’re all alive for the 100th anniversary, but we will give ourselves a bit of a break before starting to plan that, because an awful lot of work has gone into this one,” Mr Collins added.