Michael Collins’s diaries return to Cork museum, along with Hales' letters

The National Archives, in partnership with Cork County Council, have announced that Michael Collins’ diaries will return to Clonakilty for the fourth consecutive year, with newly displayed diplomatic letters.

The diaries, which date between 1918 and 1922, will be displayed at Michael Collins House Museum for the duration of August.

This year’s exhibition will highlight Collins’ international connections, a lesser-known aspect of his revolutionary work.

Alongside the diaries, visitors will see for the first time a selection of letters exchanged between Michael Collins and Donal Hales, a fellow Cork man, who was an Irish diplomat based in Genoa, Italy, from 1919 to 1922.

These letters, preserved in the National Archives, reveal a diplomatic relationship that ran parallel to the military and political efforts at home.

Acting as the Irish Republic’s consular and commercial agent in Italy, Hales regularly sent Collins Italian newspaper clippings and reports on European sentiment toward Ireland’s independence movement.

The letters also offer insight into the logistical and strategic support Hales provided from abroad, including efforts to secure recognition and resources for the Irish cause.

The diaries, which are on loan to the National Archives by the family of the late Liam and Betty Collins, have undergone conservation, archival processing, and digitisation.

Visitors can explore all five diaries in full via an interactive touchscreen display.

Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley said that the local authority is “pleased to once again feature the diaries at the Michael Collins House Museum”.

“The newly included correspondence on loan from the National Archives, between Michael Collins and Donal Hales significantly enriches this year’s exhibition, offering a more intimate perspective on the lives and relationships that shaped our nation’s history,”

said Ms Linehan Foley.

Orlaith McBride, who is the director of the National Archives, said that the organisation is “proud to support the continued loan of the Michael Collins Diaries to Clonakilty, along with included correspondence from our collections, which deepens our understanding of Collins’ international role”.

“Partnerships like this reflect our commitment to preserving and sharing Ireland’s rich documentary heritage,” said Ms McBride.

For more information, visit: www.michaelcollinshouse.ie and www.nationalarchives.ie.