Michael Collins (1890-1922) was one of the main figures of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. Having served in the Easter Rising, Collins became Director of Intelligence in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and is most credited for IRA operations against British intelligence forces in Ireland during the War of Independence, specifically his operations against the Cairo Gang. Collins famously then split with Éamon De Valera on the Anglo-Irish Treaty, sparking the Irish Civil War becoming leader of the pro-Treaty faction. The Civil War was also what ultimately led to Collins’ own death, being killed in August 1922 by anti-Treaty forces. He remains to this day an immensely polarising figure in Ireland, the subject of films, songs and books. The Path To Freedom outlines Collins’ vision of Ireland, culturally, economically and politically.
Writings
Speech at Cork Mass Meeting, March 12th, 1922
Statement in Defence of the Treaty (1922)
The Path To Freedom (1922)