An Saorstát - The Free State - Michael Collins Memorial (First Edition) Dublin, Tuesday, August 29, 1922 Page 6 (Limited Edition)

An Saorstát - The Free State - Michael Collins Memorial Number, No. 28 Vol.2 (First Edition) Dublin Tuesday, August 29, 1922 - Page 6 Limited Edition (250).

"MICK" by Margaret Gavin Duffy captures the essence of his personality…" He never lost that winning gaiety, and, in the darkest days, fully realising the dangers of the national situation, many would have lost their faith in what seemed the uselessness of the struggle, were it not for him"..." As problems and responsibilities multiplied, Mick became greater, rising with each occasion, and Statesmanship was soon added to his other marvellous qualities - nothing was too big for him - nothing was too small: and yet the stateman and the military commander was still a boy".

She goes on to recount a conversation with him immediately after his escape from Harcourt Street following a raid - where his only concern was for a Volunteer on the run down the country who was threatened with appendicitis. "That was his chief concern for the moment. He would send a car for him at once, it would arrive that night after dark with the invalid "remember he is to want for nothing." He did not even mention his own escape".

Another tribute, is written in Irish by Padraic Ó'Conaire, "Ár Laoch, Ár nGiolla Mear" . (Translated below):

"Ár Laoch, Ár nGiolla Mear" (Our Warrior, Our Gallant Hero)

Over thirty years ago, when I was but a young schoolboy, reports reached the school that Parnell had died. As it happened, us school kids had already planned a fight earlier that day between those whose families approved of Parnell and those who opposed him. But when we gathered around the schoolyard for this same fight, there wasn’t a boy between us willing to challenge a classmate; we shared a sadness about the loss of the Taoiseach. Upon this news, sorrow overpowered the bad blood and disagreements we had. And today we hear of the passing of another Taoiseach, a man who gave his life and his labour for his country, killed by a bullet of an Irish gun. Would it be too much to think that those who are fighting today would have as much sense as us schoolboys who were to duel behind the school thirty years ago? For the dead and lost on both sides, it is a necessity.

Up to 14 years ago, a young man walked into our hall in London to help with “cúis na teangan (the Gaelic cause).” While he wasn’t yet a man he had the height of a man, with energy in both body and mind. He was fairly shy in the beginning, but it wasn’t long before he made it clear to all that he wanted to work, and a man’s work at that. The harder and the more taxing the work he was given, the more he seemed to enjoy it. He would stand at the door to the music gigs, selling tickets and collecting cash, always spreading word of the cause. Anything that wasn’t enjoyable to the ordinary man, the cheerful and courageous Micheál Ó Coileáin would do it. And as he became a man with his powerful mind maturing, our fondness and respect for him only grew: 

My gallant hero who was a joy as a youth, a gentleman and a leader, the same hero who is being laid into a wooden coffin today.

There is a shared circle of friendship between the exiles of Ireland, not understood by someone who had never left. I met the Coileánach that first morning, on arriving in this country, after that time he spent in England. After some time talking, I asked him:

“Can it be done?”
“It can surely,” said he.

When I asked him what was the biggest desire he had while in exile, he asked me the same question, and he received the same response. Political freedom and freedom to use our native tongue were the two desires we shared.

Michael, the most beloved Irishman to have lived among us, and now lowered below us, 

If it was God’s will for you to live another five years, you would see the fruits of what you gave your heart to and your life for, 

And you wouldn’t have to utter the question asked by your own blood and fellow Cork poet Sean Ó Coileáin- “Cén bhuile atá ar Éirinn?”

The page also contains seven photos: "Members of the Collins Family outside their home in Co. Cork which was destroyed during the Black and Tan Terror". At Griffiths Grave" (shows Collins deep in thought and prayer)..."LEAVING DOWNING STREET"..."IN 1917" (a Younger Collins in Volunteer Uniform)..."SPEAKING AT SCOIL EANNA, RATHFRANHAM, 1921"...."MEMBERS OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AND PRO TREATY T.D.'S"..."At the City Hall, Dublin, watching a March Past of the National Troops"...

Each of the pages from this fabulous 250 limited edition broadsheet is reproduced on 210 gsm Satin art paper, set behind glass, and tastefully framed on mottled green pine suede backing in a fine antique style Gold Leaf frame. This remarkable tribute is a beautiful collectors item for historians and admirers of Michael Collins.