On this day in 1922, Michael Collins’ convoy drove through Béal na mBláth and into eternity. Civil War had erupted only months before. Sacrifices, alliances, and betrayals unimaginable weeks ago were routine in the new bloodbath of brother against brother. Despite these dangers, Collins believed he wasn’t a credible target for Anti-Treaty Irregulars. especially in his native Cork. He set off to inspect military installations in that beautiful, wild corner of the country. Perhaps he confused his hopes of reconciliation and renewal with the desires of the new domestic enemy. When the National Army Commandant Joe Sweeney warned against the tour, Collins replied,’No one is going to shoot me in my county.’ That morning, Collins’ open-top car and a small armoured motorcade with 15 men began their fateful drive from Cork City through West Cork. On their way, he also hoped to parley with anti-Treaty IRA volunteers. His whistle-stop route was to take them through Macroom, Bandon, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, and Skibbereen. Collins makes a pit-stop at Long’s pub, “The Diamond,” looking for directions. It is here where Denny ‘the Dane’ Long, a lookout for anti-treaty leader Tom Hales, spotted the Big Fella. His travel plans to return through the crossroads area of Béal na mBláth were communicated back to base, and the trap was set. Around 7:45pm, Collins’ cars return through the village of Béal na mBláth and into the jaws of the enemy. But the Anti-Treaty lads would not have it all their own way. The convoy was late, so many of the IRA columns had already dispersed from the hiding places. They had even begun to dismantle and move land mines they’d installed at the choke point road. However, the main obstruction, a dray cart blocking the path, was still on site. Free State commander Dalton wanted to try and barge through the ambush, but Collins vaingloriously insisted they stay and fight. When the assassin’s guns speak, they roar for almost half an hour. Collins and his guards left the open-top car and ran for cover at a ditch on the roadside, returning fire. Collins then broke this position and got behind one of his armoured where he began returning fire this time with his Lee Enfield rifle. The armoured car was equipped with a Vickers machine gun, which started to riddle the anti-treaty position before promptly breaking down and jamming due to a badly loaded ammunition belt. Collins broke cover again, and it would be from this final position in the middle of the road that he would become the only real casualty of the ambush. As the smoke clears Collins lies dying, the fatal wound is to the head. Whose bullet was it? Most historians believe it was fired by Denis “Sonny” O’Neill. He had been an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary and a sniper during WW1 in the British Army before joining the IRA in 1918. But it’s not certain. Office worker, freedom fighter, spymaster, statesman, icon. His remains rest in Glasnevin Cemetery. He died a legend, aged 31 years old.

Posted by Fred Bassett