Michael Collins was born in 1890 in County Cork, Ireland. He had a difficult childhood, taking over the family farm at a young age after his father was killed. Collins joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and played an important role in the 1916 Easter Rising, leading troops and helping to acquire weapons. He later helped form the Irish Republican Army and served as the IRA's director of intelligence during the Irish War of Independence from 1919-1921. Collins negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 that led to the establishment of the Irish Free State but partitioned Ireland. This caused a split in Sinn Fein and led to the Irish Civil War between Collins' pro-Treaty forces and those of Eamon

1. Michael Collins

2. Early facts Michael Mick Collins was born on October 16 th 1890 in Sam’s cross near Clonakilty Co. Cork. Michael was the youngest of 7 children Growing up for Michael was tough as his father was shot when he was 6 for being leader of the Irish fenians. At the age of 13 and a half he boarded Clonakilty N.S He’s application to a College in London was rejected as further allegations proved he was trying to gain British information and repeat acts of his father. As Michael was the youngest of 7 and because all of his other siblings were either married or moved on in life he had to take care of the family farm from age 10 only with his mother’s help which meant no playing with the man in the picture. In 1915 he got a job in a newsagents in New York

3. The IRB The image shows the IRB flag of 1909-1916 Collins joined the IRB under instructions from as he put it his heart ‘‘I heard a voice in my heart telling me it was destiny’’. He was right. He fitted the bill perfectly for the IRB a bright , precious, vivacious ,a passion for nationalism and young boy . In 1916 he became captain of the Irish 4 th troop.

4. 1916 Rising Little is it known how important a part Michael Collins played in 1916 He first suggested a rebellion as Ireland had been promised home rule and he was sick of british rule. He provided ammunition via his friends from his time working in an newsagents in the U.S.A. He was leader of the 4 th Irish troop in 1916. Of the 132 the Irish killed ,he killed 12. He also helped build guns out of smoking pipes and soup tins. He acted as a servant to Oliver Plunkett and cleared him of a fatal wound,1of 7 men who signed the proclamation. He was also managing transportation.

7. IRA In 1918 Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera formed the Irish Republican Army The goal was to retrieve their independence through violence. An non – well known fact is that Collins set up the first 1916 garden of rememberance but was later destroyed by accident in the 1923 civil war. In just 3 years they had an army of 200,000 men They had new tactics like Guerrilla warfare and computer hacking. This kick-started the war of independence.

8. Tipperary's 3 rd IRA Brigade in War of Independence

9. IRA ambush in the War of Independence

10. Irish war of independence During 1916 James Connolly who was already wounded in battle was shot again for signing the proclamation which outraged the Irish public resulting with the birth of the war of Independence. It started in 1919 with the birth of the first republican government in this Collins was minister for finance in the Sinn Féin party Collins was then named officer of intelligence in the war of Independence. Despite being heavily outnumbered on a ratio of 4:1 The Irish fought bravely and killed 714 british losing only 550 forcing the british to surrender after only 1 year and 11 months in 1922.

11. Irish war of Independence medal

12. Anglo – Irish treaty In 1921 after the IRA won the war of independence negotiations were carried out between the Irish and british governments to come to terms on independence for Ireland. Éamon de velera who at the time was the president of the Irish republic was the first to negotiate with the british government but he was unsuccessful. Then another team led by Collins and Arthur Griffith flew into london for negotiations with great bravery as they were highly wanted in britain , Collins of whom was once shot in the leg on 1 of 6 travels . And finally after 3months of negotiations Collins and Griffith succeeded.

13. The terms The British army would withdraw from Ireland If anybody was voted in to an Irish parliament they would have to take the Irish oath of allegiance. King George V would be head of Irish state ( till he died 5years later and then he was replaced by an Irish elect) Ireland would get full independence but Ulster would make the final decision on that.

14. Aftermath When the treaty was announced DeValera and Collins split as De Valera refused to accept anything other than full independence Sinn Féin split into Collins – Finé Gael and De Valera – Fíne Fáil De Valera should have realised that it wasn’t Collins’s fault as he had achieved full Independence just 6 of 9 counties in Ulster wouldn’t agree to join the Irish Free State And there was also a referendum on the Treaty which the Irish people accepted. After news came through of Ulster’s rejection to join the Irish Free State a new country was formed called Northern Ireland

15. Northern Ireland F - Fermanagh A - Armagh T – Tyrone Formed Northern Ireland D – Derry A – Antrim D – Down

16. Civil War The Newly founded Irish Republic suddenly broke into 2 cults De Valera’s anti – treaty army and Collins’s Pro – treaty side Tensions grew and violence flared throughout the country and eventually a civil war broke out on the 28 th January 1922 The Pro – treaty side by far had the bigger army as they were backed up by the Irish Provisional Government , Irish Army, Air Force and all of its 1ship Navy Despite this there was one great disaster for Ireland.

17. Civil War Motive

18. Death of a Hero During the Civil War a few days before the Pro - treaty side would win Collins decided to return to his native West Cork to his family and his troops. While he did he got lost and stopped in a pub to get directions. He had no clue though that the pub was owned by the Anti – treaty officer for intelligence . Collins was captured and then shot at Béal na mblath by Liam Deasy. He died on the 22 nd of August 1922 at 32 years old.

19. Grave of Michael Collins in Glasnevin ,Dublin

20. Michael Collin’s Childhood

21. Personal Facts on Michael Collins Favourite Gun – Double barrel shotgun Favourite food – He personally said he’d eat anything Role Model – Brian Ború Favourite Colour – Black Favourite place – Any Battlefield

22. The End