MICHAEL COLLINS CENTRE

At the Centre visitors can enjoy a comprehensive presentation on the life and times of the Michael Collins.

The Michael Collins Centre is located in a beauty spot at Castleview, near Clonakilty and was founded by Tim and Dolores Crowley in 2000. Tim, a historian and writer, is a cousin of Michael Collins through his great grandmother, Marianne McCarthy. She was a second cousin of Marianne O’Brien, mother of Michael Collins.

At the Centre visitors can enjoy a comprehensive presentation on the life and times of the Michael Collins. The design of the centre is influenced by West Cork farmsteads from the late 1800’s. Inside the farmhouse theatre audio-visuals are displayed and there are live illustrated presentations delivered by expert guides, three times daily. The centre houses a fine collection of Michael Collins memorabilia, militaria and photographs.

Outside is the Michael Collins Memorial Park overlooking the magnificent Argideen Valley. Among a number of memorials is a life size replica of a medieval church site dedicated to the 1798 rebellion. Close by is the Béal na Bláth Memorial, which is a life size replica (one hundred meters long) of the ambush site where Michael Collins died. This memorial contains life size replicas of the vehicles in Michael Collins’ Convoy, Crossley Tender, Leyland Touring Car and Rolls Royce Armored Car.

The Michael Collins Centre is located about 5km northeast of Clonakilty town at Castleview in the town-land of Ballinoroher.