Heritage archives - Michael Collins & Beal na Bláth
Introduction
This Celtic cross monument set on an elevated railed red brick and limestone base marks the spot where General Michael Collins; commander-in-chief of the National Army and chairman of the Provisional Government (Realtas Sealadach) was shot dead during an ambush by anti-Treaty republican irregulars on Tuesday August 22nd 1922. The military convoy escort commanded by General Emmet Dalton comprised a motor-cycle outrider, a Leyland Thomas touring car containing Collins, a Rolls Royce Whippet armoured car (Sliabh na mBan) and a converted Crossley tender containing some twelve soldiers. That fateful morning the convoy had left the Imperial Hotel, Cork, proceeding to Macroom thence to Bandon via Bealnablath, next to Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and Skibbereen. Returning it stopped at Rosscarbery and Bandon before being ambushed at Beal na mBláth.
