CLONAKILTY’S Michael Collins House Museum will reopen to the public in early 2026 after it closed for necessary repair works, writes Martin Steinmetz.

Cork County Council is overseeing maintenance works in the building on Emmet Square, originally built in the late 18th century.

In October a section of the ceiling collapsed. Work to repair it started recently and is making progress, with exhibits staying closed throughout December.

The museum posted on social media: ‘We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to welcoming you back into our museum soon.’

The focus of Michael Collins House Museum is The Big Fella’s role in the War of Independence. The house itself was not Michael Collins’ residence, although he lived on Emmet Square from 1903 to 1905.

A Cork County Council spokesperson said that contractors have been appointed to undertake repair works to the ceiling.

‘Works are specialist in nature and are expected to take a number of weeks to complete, with the museum expected to re-open in the new year.’

The museum explores Collins’ early influences, including Skibbereen’s founding father of the Fenian movement, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, and the 1798 Rebellion led by Tadhg an Asna.

Key features include interactive displays and artefacts while visitors can also read his 1918–1922 diaries, on loan from the National Archives. The family of the late Liam and Betty Collins from Clonakilty loaned the diaries to the National Archives. Michael Collins’ older brother Johnny originally passed them to his son, Liam Collins.

The museum’s latest publication In the Shadow of the Big Fella is available from local book shops.