Have you been wondering what Michael Collins is up to lately? Well, a new Facebook page allows you to follow Collins and his adventures through the States while he’s visiting, along with many other Irish, on his J-1 visa.
Says the info section on the ‘Michael Collins Adventures’ Facebook page: “The original Irish hero, Michael Collins here. I've been laying low the last 90 years after faking my death, but have decided to go on a J-1 to New York. Still feeling a bit stiff though!”
The ‘Michael Collins Adventures’ Facebook page is just around a month old now, but has already garnered over 450 ‘likes.’ Writes one fan, “Class stuff boyz, keep the adventures coming!!!”
Speaking with John Grace, one of Collins' faithful minders, it was learned that Collins has been on the prowl in Ireland for a few years now.
"We actually found him in a hay shed out in Dunmanway a bit after the 2008 Olympics," said Grace.
"He was really worse for wear, but we took him home with us and cleaned him up. We've never looked back since."
Grace does make sure to clarify that "it was always just for family and friends when we were at home for the craic. There's nothing political or ideological about it. " It is with the same mentality that Collins has embarked on his American tour.
"However the amount of people that hadn't a clue who he actually was, was appalling. A few boys form BallinCollig asked us 'Is that Hitler?' when we were out in Inis Mean, on the Aran Islands."
Photos are a plenty of a cardboard cutout of Michael Collins making his way around not only some of the tri-state area’s most popular attractions, but Ireland’s as well.
Presumably before Collins secured his J-1 Visa, he paid visits to Beal Na mBlath, the Aran Islands and a local pub for a night out.
Now, however, Collins is Stateside and going on the “tear” in Atlantic City, New Jersey, taking in a Mets game in New York, and even lending a hand at Times Square’s public yoga session. Of course, there are several pub stops and photo opps in between.
"Mick is a big fella and it takes a lot to look after him, so there's a dedicated team of us to make sure he's safe and sound 24 hours a day. He can be a bit inconsiderate at times though. Sneaking out in the middle of the night and then bringing people home and waking up the house."
John Grace and his dedicated team will be ushering Michael Collins around the tri-state area for the rest of the summer on their J1 visas. Keep an eye out for them, or follow Michael Collins’ adventures in real time on Twitter @Micksadventures.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.canadianirish | Jul 22, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT
How about bringing him to Toronto.
TisEyerish | Jul 20, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
I love this idea. It's a great way to promote history and raise awareness of the plight the Irish suffered for so many centuries. I've always said that, when history is taught in the schoolroom, it should be done is a less dry way...I've never seen a teacher bring history to life and make it interesting...just one dry fact after another delivered. This is certainly a great teaching tool!
IrelandNorth | Jul 20, 2012, 07:25 AM EDT
"Still felling a bit stiff though!" Hmmm! I'm sure Lady Hazel Lavery would be pleased. Not to mention Kitty Kirnan - and countless others. Still, revolutionaries need plenty of R&R. Goes with the terrain. Mind you, I'e heeard of Elvis sightings - even on Mars. But Mick? Will he be doing a comeback tour in Las Vegas. As for the ('plonker') historically illiterate Ballincolligeans. Probably thought he was Jedwards' grandfather. I rest my case about Ciara Dexy's generation.
Scrivner | Jul 20, 2012, 12:05 AM EDT
Hope that he doesn't get lost in the East Village, would give a whole new meaning to the term "Magic Mike."
occassio | Jul 19, 2012, 01:21 PM EDT
Not that I think that Míċeál Ó Coileáin belongs in the Pantheon of Gods. Not that I think that he didn’t have a sense of humor. After all, he did go to Beal Na mBlath. And not that I think that this is sacrilege. But, Argh! Seanmor: Thank you for commenting on his position on Partition. Too many people blame him for that decision without realizing that, for the British, a united Ireland was something that was not on the table and never had been: Not for de Valera, not for Collins. Perhaps his journey through Ireland and the United States will promote an interest and eventual reading about this incredible man. BTW, is he coming to Boston?
Searlit | Jul 19, 2012, 01:16 PM EDT
I think these young people have found a great way to teach people some Irish history and have fun at the same time. Bringing the 'craic' with them. Charming.
Seanmor | Jul 19, 2012, 12:48 PM EDT
I hope the Big Fella's J-1 visa will allolw him to stay in the U.S. at least thru March of 2013, so that he can lead next year's NYC St. Patrick's Day parade as Grand Marshal. Despite what his detractors would have us believe, Collins opposed Partition as much as did any of the anti-Treaty crowd, and he saw an independent Irish Free State as a stepping stone to a full Irish Republic - not as permanently separated from the North. Though not nearly as fluent an Irish speaker as Pearse or Dev, Collins fount an Ghaeilge acceptable and would feel quite at home in the Aran Islands - more so than in the E.U. parliament, to which the former FREE STATE has surrendered much of its sovereignty.
dunmanway8 | Jul 19, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT
Why am I not surprised he was found in Dunmanway.
handsome68 | Jul 19, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT
Michael Collins was as great as the great men and women of history, or, if you prefer, herstory. To me, "The Big Man" is up there in heaven with, for example, Braveheart and Joan of Arc. My dad, born in Leitrim in 1909, told me once that he shook hands with Collins. God rest these great souls.
CitizenWhy | Jul 19, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT
I think he should be rambling about with the Queen, or Margaret Thatcher.