Cork public invited to attend 'momentous' unveiling of new Michael Collins statue
Michael Collins speaking from a platform on Grand Parade in Cork in March 1922 to an estimated crowd of 50,000 people. The new statue will be unveiled at this location.
The public have been invited to attend the unveiling of a new Michael Collins statue in the city centre, at the site of one of Collins’ most famous public orations.
The much anticipated statue, which will be located on Grand Parade close to the city library, will be officially unveiled by sporting legends Ronan O’Gara, Jimmy Barry Murphy and Rena Buckley on Friday, October 20.
Renowned sculptor Kevin Holland was commissioned to create the new statue, which is based on the iconic 1922 photograph of Collins with a Pierce bicycle.
Mr Holland also created the landmark statue of Collins in Clonakilty.
The new city centre piece is being described as a “monument for the people, from the people”, funded through a crowd-funding scheme spearheaded by the Michael Collins 100 committee.
A public ceremony to celebrate its completion will take place outside Cork City Library this coming Friday at 12pm.
"We’re inviting everyone to join us for this momentous occasion and are honoured to have three Cork sporting legends unveil the statue - all extraordinary people in their own right like Collins himself," Michael Collins 100 Committee chairman, Tim Crowley, said.
"We are expecting a large turn-out, so I would advise anyone who wishes to attend to get there before 12 midday.
Members of the Collins family will also be present on the day.
The armoured car 'Sliabh na mBan' from the convoy that made the historic journey on the day of Michael Collins’ death will be on show on the day and Cork singing legend John Spillane will perform a new Michael Collins song that he penned for the very first time.
The Grand Parade site has historical links to Collins as on March 12, 1922, the so-called ‘Big Fella’ attended a Pro-Treaty rally on Grand Parade where he delivered a passionate speech to a crowd of what was reported to have been around 50,000 people.
Collins’ convoy would have also passed the spot early on the morning of August 22, 1922, on his journey from the Imperial Hotel where he spent his last night, on route to Béal na Bláth where he was shot dead later that day.
For more, see michaelcollinsstatue.com.
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