The Spotlight Room, Hawth Theatre, Crawley from 8pm: The Collins 22 Society will host a launch and rally evening dedicated to Michael Collins with guest speakers discussing the impact of the General on modern Irish politics.

This is the first 22 Society event in the South East of England and is already generationg a lot of interest. The event is sponsored by Ollie O’ Farrell and chaired by Paul Shorthall. Speakers include local historian and society organiser, Bill Martin; Noel Coonan TD, President of the Society and Gerry O’ Connell, the Society’s secretary over from Ireland.

The event is an opportunity to discuss the impact of Michael Collins on Irish politics. Different viewpoints of the man are held by opposing national and political agendas. Often spoken of as the ‘Lost Leader’ or ‘The Big Fella’ he is viewed as both villian and hero but looked upon as an Irish patriot, statesman and man of peace to many. Even though Collins died 76 years ago much of the information about him is as mysterious as the existence he maintained.

There will also be a screening of the controversial documentary by Welsh nationalist Kenneth Griffiths on the life and death of General Collins, “Hang Out your Brightest Colours”. It was commissioned by Michael Grade for the ATV (ITV) network but was first broadcast over two decades later on BBC Two. The film still raises controvesy today. We expect this event to raise the same kind of passion.

With a lifespan of just 31 years, Collins achievements were many: he helped fight the British to a stalemate by changing the rules of warfare and setting up an effective intelligence network. He developed techniques of guerilla warfare later copied by independence movements around the world and fought for Irish independance with the only army available to him — the Irish Volunteers, bands of “poorly armed peasants and working-class youths”.

His achievements were, however, not without a price – the ultimate price. His actions preciptated the bloody War of Independence against the British and the “Treaty” he brought back from London split the country into two fiercely opposing halves and plunged the country into the throes of a traumatic civil war.

There had been many Irish patriots before him, but few can invoke as much emotion and mystery as the man who, in a span of some seven years changed the shape of Irish history.

In 1929 Winston Churchill decribed him as:

an Irish patriot, true and fearless. When in future times the Irish Free State is not only prosperous and happy, but an active and annealing force… regard will be paid by widening circles to his life and to his death”.

Even his father on his deathbed looked at the young Michael a boy of 6 years is said to have commented:

He’ll be a great man yet, he’ll do great things for Ireland”.

Tickets are available from Bob Martin on 01737 212790 or 07803 597854 at �8 which also includes a Finger Buffet. For more information E-mail rsm@ireland.com or log on at www.generalmichaelcollins.com

Collins 22 Poster (PDF)