Cork History Matters

Grandnephew of Michael Collins in conversation with Dave on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Béal na Bláth ambush in West Cork that robbed Ireland of one the most charismatic, intelligent and impressive figures of the age. He died aged just 31.‘The Big Fellow’, as he was known, from Lisavaird near Clonakilty in West Cork was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th century struggle for Irish independence. Having fought in the Easter Rising in 1916, Collins rose through the political ranks and was elected as a TD for South Cork and appointed Minister for Finance in the first Dáil. He was a major figure in the War of Independence, a key negotiator of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State and commander-in-chief of the National Army until his untimely death during the Irish Civil War.On Tuesday, August 22 1922 Collins departed the Imperial Hotel at 6.15 am via Pembroke Street where the main entrance to the Hotel was at that time. Travelling with Emmet Dalton in a yellow Leyland Thomas Straight Eight touring car, along with a small military convoy, they headed to Macroom, Crookstown, Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen. The convoy was ambushed by anti-treaty forces at Béal na Bláth just before sunset, at 7.30 pm where Collins was fatally wounded. He was initially transferred to the armoured car and then the touring car for the sombre return journey. Collins’ body was brought back to the Imperial Hotel where he was examined by a military doctor and formally pronounced dead. He was tragically just 31 years old at the time of his death.Fittingly Cork’s Grande Dame, The Imperial Hotel, has announced plans to mark the 100-year anniversary of the death of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins. One of Cork’s most famous sons, Collins was a regular guest and poignantly spent the last two nights of his life at the city centre hotel, in room 115, which had been used as a military headquarters at the time. They will be joined on the date of the anniversary by relatives of Michael Collins, who will officially open the new ‘Michael Collins Suite’ and unveil a newly commissioned portrait of the revolutionary leader. About 30 of Collins’s relatives will have spent the night previous as guests of the hotel before joining for a private family breakfast on ahead of the portrait unveiling at 10am Monday 22nd August.

Grandnephew of Micheal Collins in conversation with Dave on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Béal na Bláth ambush in West Cork that robbed Ireland of one the most charismatic, intelligent and impressive figures of the age. He died aged just 31.



‘The Big Fellow’, as he was known, from Lisavaird near Clonakilty in West Cork was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th century struggle for Irish independence. Having fought in the Easter Rising in 1916, Collins rose through the political ranks and was elected as a TD for South Cork and appointed Minister for Finance in the first Dáil. He was a major figure in the War of Independence, a key negotiator of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State and commander-in-chief of the National Army until his untimely death during the Irish Civil War.



On Tuesday, August 22 1922 Collins departed the Imperial Hotel at 6.15 am via Pembroke Street where the main entrance to the Hotel was at that time. Travelling with Emmet Dalton in a yellow Leyland Thomas Straight Eight touring car, along with a small military convoy, they headed to Macroom, Crookstown, Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen. The convoy was ambushed by anti-treaty forces at Béal na Bláth just before sunset, at 7.30 pm where Collins was fatally wounded. He was initially transferred to the armoured car and then the touring car for the sombre return journey. Collins’ body was brought back to the Imperial Hotel where he was examined by a military doctor and formally pronounced dead. He was tragically just 31 years old at the time of his death.



Fittingly Cork’s Grande Dame, The Imperial Hotel, has announced plans to mark the 100-year anniversary of the death of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins. One of Cork’s most famous sons, Collins was a regular guest and poignantly spent the last two nights of his life at the city centre hotel, in room 115, which had been used as a military headquarters at the time. They will be joined on the date of the anniversary by relatives of Michael Collins, who will officially open the new ‘Michael Collins Suite’ and unveil a newly commissioned portrait of the revolutionary leader. About 30 of Collins’s relatives will have spent the night previous as guests of the hotel before joining for a private family breakfast on ahead of the portrait unveiling at 10am Monday 22nd August.

Hear many stories culled from the archives of the world’s oldest yacht club, Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC), dating back to at least 1720, as told by Dr Paul, including how the club came to be and how it developed over the years from Kinsale to Haulbowline to Cobh and finally Crosshaven. Other stories that tie into and connect with RCYC include Austrian Emperors of Mexico, American 1st World War destroyers and the kindly German U-Boat commanders that destroyed them, as well as many other vignettes that illustrate the wealth of history and prestige connected with the club.Volvo Cork Week returns to the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven from the 10th to 15th of July. Highlights include World Class Racing, a classic yacht regatta, and a Family Fun Day on Sunday 10th July in the club and village, from twelve to five. There’s something for all with a fun fair, boat trips, coastal walks, games, coastal market, and children’s workshop with marine scientist Finn Van De Aar. See Cork Week dot ie. Volvo Cork Week, proudly supported by Cork’s RedFM.

Ireland's first great rock icon was Cork's Rory Gallagher...this is the first part of his story, as told to Dave MacArdle by proud brother and long-time manager Donal, taking him from Ballyshannon in Donegal to Derry to MacCurtain street in Cork, to school in the North Mon to the first guitar from Crowley's right up to the formation of the soon-to-be world-conquering legendary three piece Taste.

The Cork International Exhibition of 1902 was an enormous feat of organisation that hosted some 1.8 million visitors and attracted enormous international attention on Cork. It was decided that a similar exhibition would be held in 1903, it was too a triumph and was visited by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Held on what is now Fitzgerald park - named after the Lord Mayor who first proposed and then spearheaded the massive undertaking - it's a story that will delight & surprise in equal measure. From nationalists to unionists to bellydancers to the Japanese Imperial Navy, it's got the lot.

The Tale of The West Cork Fisherman & DJ Andrew Weatherall's Tattoos 'Fail We May, Sail We Must' Dave chats to Gerard Sheehy from Baltimore in the latest edition of Cork History MattersYou can listen to more episodes of Dave Mac's Cork History Matters on our website here:https://redfm.ie/shows/dave-macs-cork-history-matters/

Gabriel Doherty of UCC History department discusses Cork & Ireland in 1922. From the British handover to Michael Collins at Dublin Castle in January to the civil war that broke out 6 months later. Includes in-depth discussion of how these events of 100 years ago continue to have ramifications for us today.

In this Cork History Matters podcast Dave Mac delves deep into the story of Ireland’s first outdoor music festival in Macroom in the late 70s in the company of Cork author & publisher Roz Crowley whose book Macroom Mountain Dew, available at Waterstones, Nano Nagle Place on Douglas Street and online. The Mountain Dew festival first featured Marianne Faithful in a dome borrowed from the Rose of Tralee committee and then by Cork’s very own local hero, the international rock superstar that was Rory Gallagher. Other acts to feature include Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, The Chieftains, Paul Brady, Horslips, Paul Young, The Dubliners, and many more. Gripped by festival fever, each year the town staged a programme of community events including pig races, glassy alley competitions, talent shows, slow bicycle races, historical lectures, brass and pipe band recitals, barbecues and football matches. It was a festival for Ireland, and for the people of Macroom.You can listen to more episodes of Cork History Matters on https://redfm.ie/shows/dave-macs-cork-history-matters/

Dave MacArdle continues his series of conversations with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty who takes him through the dramatic events of the Truce in summer 1921, the Treaty in late 21, the foundation of the Free State in early 22 and the outbreak of Civil War in the summer of 1922. Includes the intrigues of Collins & Dev, the amphibious invasion of Cork by Free State forces and the murder of Michael Collins at Beal Na Blath.

The latest in a series of conversations with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty who takes Dave through the dramatic events of the Truce in summer 1921, the Treaty in late 21, the foundation of the Free State in early 22 and the outbreak of Civil War in the summer of 1922...includes the intrigues of Collins & Dev, the amphibious invasion of Cork by Free State forces and the murder of Collins at Beal Na Blath.