A TD has called on the government to find a site in Dublin city for a statue of General Michael Collins with his famous bicycle, in honour of the fallen rebel’s 100th death anniversary next year.
The remarks were made yesterday by Independent Cork South-West TD Michael Collins in the Dáil.
“On Saturday, 23rd October last, at the Michael Collins Centre on the Timoleague Road, Clonakilty, owned by Tim and Dolores Crowley, all Oireachtas Members from across the political divide met the Michael Collins 100 committee,” he said.
“The purpose of this requested meeting by the national non-political committee was to help with its urgent search for a site for a Michael Collins statue in our capital, Dublin.”
The TD went on to add that next year marked the 100th anniversary of the death of “one of the greatest politicians this country has ever known.”
“It is astonishing, in its own right, that no stand-alone statue has ever been erected in his memory in our capital, Dublin, for the public,” he said.
“This committee will commission, fundraise and gift the statue in the memory of Michael Collins with his bike similar to the likeness of a sculpture that was erected in Clonakilty 20 years ago. All it wants is for the State to find a suitable site, measuring 2 metres by 1 metre, for this fabulous proposed monument.”
Collins called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to help “honour” the anniversary of the rebel’s death by helping to find such a suitable site.
General Collins was shot dead in a gun battle on August 22nd 1922 in Béal na Bláth, Co. Cork, during the Irish Civil War, and is currently buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.
Next August 22nd 2022 will be the 100th anniversary of his passing.