Michael Collins' diaries donated to the State

Pocket diaries cover 1918-1922 and contain details of meetings, events, appointments, and other arrangements, often secret in nature, which have never been seen before

Helen Collins, Maurice Collins, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Woodfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork, during the official handover of Michael Collins diaries to the National Archives. Picture: Julien Behal

The family of Michael Collins has donated his pocket diaries covering the years 1918 to 1922 to the State.

One of his grandnieces, Fidelma Collins, said it was a historic and emotional day for the family to be able to present the diaries to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the grounds of Woodside, just outside Clonakilty, where Collins was born.