Council praised for its foresight in providing Collins museum backing

CORK County Council officials have been praised for their foresight in opening the new Michael Collins Museum at Emmet Square in Clonakilty.

At a recent meeting of Cork County Council, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) said it took great courage by Cork County Council to make an investment in a museum.

‘It will be a massive addition to what Clonakilty has to offer and I would like to congratulate the Council officials for developing this project and the official opening of the museum was a fantastic occasion,’ said Cllr O’Sullivan.

Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG) said it was great to the see County Mayor Cllr John Paul O’Shea down in West Cork to officially open the facility.

‘This is a great asset, not just for Clonakilty, but also for the greater area of West Cork. Also the 1916 Commemorations across the county have been fantastic and it seems that children have become a lot more interested in history due to these events,’ said Cllr Hegarty.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan (FG) was equal in his praise for the Council’s part in the project.

‘Tremendous work went into this and Michael Collins is of national importance and the new Michael Collins Trails and the new signage for areas associated with him will also help develop tourism in West Cork. We should be extremely proud,’ said Cllr O’Donovan.

Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) said it was a fantastic occasion for Clonakilty and he also paid particular mention to Conor Nelligan from Cork County Council for all his work on the 1916 commemoration events.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said he would have loved to have been at the official opening in Clonakilty but as Deputy Mayor he had to attend another function in North Cork. However, he also congratulated Cork County Council on developing the museum.

County Mayor Cllr John Paul O’Shea said the Michael Collins Museum ‘portrays our shared history in a unique fashion.’

The Michael Collins House Museum tells the story of the struggle for independence in Ireland from 1798 to 1922. The story is told with a focus on three local patriots, Tadgh an Asna and the 1798 Rebellion, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa over the late nineteenth century, and of course Michael Collins, covering the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.