Council fails to point the way to patriot’s last stand

ON a recent visit to west Cork I set out to visit Béal ná mBláth where the patriot and revolutionary Michael Collins lost his life in an ambush in 1922.

I am well used by now to the lack of cultural and historical sensitivity displayed by a lot of the powers-that-be in this country, but I was still a little taken aback by the disregard of Cork County Council for the place where such a notable Irishman, the subject of countless books and a Hollywood film, met his death.

Specifically, my criticism of the local authority has to do with its failure clearly to show visitors how to get to the place.

My ‘adventure’ started when I set out from Clonakilty north to Enniskeane, having been informed by the tourist office that there would probably be a signpost there. There wasn’t.

The next place I had been directed to was Coppeen on the main road from Cork to Bantry. Surprise, surprise, no signpost there either. The map said east, so I followed this road and eventually a somewhat arbitrarily-positioned signpost materialised, indicating the place was 6km ahead.

I wondered at this stage whether it was a mirage conjured up by my (by then) overactive imagination, but no, we soon arrived at Béal na Bláth where I found a small village on the main road with three minor roads branching off. Signposts aplenty but, wait for it, none to the Collins site.

I was finally directed down one of these roads by a local person who explained they don’t put up signposts because “they’d all be stolen”.

Finally, I found the place.

The memorial consisted of a grey stone Celtic-style cross and a plaque with information. This would have been fine, but of course it was spoiled by a hideously designed raised platform area in front of the cross, with railings and red painted bricks of such appalling taste you wouldn’t find them gracing the most run-down council estate.

Incidentally, while heading off initially from Clonakilty, I found a B&B where I had stayed more than 20 years ago. I found this, ironically, as a result of efficient, consistent signposting at each divergence in the road, terminating at the B&B itself.

I would humbly suggest that the relevant section of Cork County Council be replaced and the lady who owns the B&B installed in its place.

I would be curious to hear an explanation from those responsible for this careless attitude to their nation’s history, but I strongly suspect it would make only for further frustration.

David Marlborough

103 Kenilworth Park

Dublin 6w