Thousands mark Collins’s birthday

Thousands flocked to an open day in Cork, some from as far away as France, as they celebrated the birthday of Michael Collins and came to view the proud tradition of the army stationed at the barracks named after him.

Many schoolchildren from the city and county marvelled at the change in fashion of military equipment on display, from Collins’s 1922 armoured car Sliabh na mBan to the present day €1m Mooag armoured personnel carriers.

The 1st Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General Derry Fitzgerald, put on a display of military prowess in the parade ground and soldiers showed fascinated children a wide variety of weaponry.