A picture of Michael Collins just hours before his death is discovered

The Kodak Brownie came out Feb. 1900.

I'm very glad to see that there is a collection of photographs of Michael Collins and sadly, of the location of his tragic murder. The politics of that time were as nasty as today's politics. At least Collins wasn't surprised by his murder; he knew Dev has signed his death warrant when he was ordered to sign a treaty that lead to nearly a century of hatred and bloodshed. He remains one of the shining stars of Irish history, and every bit of evidence we find lets us know more about him. I expect he'll always be one of my heroes. Thanks to the photographer who had the presence of mind to take photographs as soon as it was safe to visit the site of Collins' death, and to her family that had the good sense to hold on to the snapshots. I too have seen this one photograph published before. I won't chime in on the kind of car that's in the photo because I wasn't around back then. As for folks dressed for chilly weather, it's Ireland. A cold damp day can make summer nasty and raw, and make the exhaust from a car visible. Without knowing the kind of film, the filter, if any, on the lens (it could have been built-in by the camera manufacturer), and the developing and printing techniques, the presence of the white exhaust says very little. If this photo was taken hours before or the day before the dear man's death, the photograph itself doesn't say one way or the other if this is the car in which Michael Collins was murdered. What a thrill it must have been to see Michael Collins up close.

Greensmoke, Good point. When Collins signed the treaty with England(it is reported) he said: "I am signing my own death certificate."Quess he knew deValera pretty well. Churchill offered deValera unification if Ireland would join England in WW II.

Dev also.

anglo norman, you mean Dev surely

Was Collins not travelling in the armoured car Beal na mBlath? On the subject of on heavy military equipment: in the famous newsreel footage of the shelling of the Four Courts in June 1922 who were operating the artillery pieces? The former IRA now Free State troops would have had no training with field guns.

Collins was Churchills bitch..

33 year old collins sent by Dev to negotiate terms for Erin's freedom. Dev was neatly off to America to speaks before his father's tribe for moola. Such a leader known for his oratory and skill at diplomacy sending such a substitute beggars the mind. Collins who having access to British files knew who to target for the terror he unleashed upon Merry O's finest, driving England to distraction with wonderment about the perpretator(s). Dev (England's Greatest Spy) setting up of this Collins chap - this is yer man - flies over heads of those who will not see. Dev was focused primarily on finding a home for his father's tribe. Irelands neutrality served as a breadbasket for M-O and a workforce resource all through WWII and still. Some have joined the British Army in recent times - an indication of a people totally divided - dysfunctional.

The Irish, their own worst enemy.

This is the last Photo by all accounts of Michael Collins. I may be mistaken but Im sure it was up for auction some months ago in a Dublin Auctioneers . Michael Collins was one of the greatest Irish Patriots from a militaristic and Political point of view.His sacricices were made long before his death. His integrity and love of Ireland far outweighes the pro and anti treaty arguments,.He was neither but a true son of Ireland whose last months are clouded in secrecy.I was given an account which I believe to be true from a a respected ,credited source . The Irish Govt still will not release documents on the British and Free State Heads communication on Michael Collins. A Thiarna den Throcaire ar a anam Micheal .

There are a few important facts about the Partition of Ireland that the media almost never mention nowadays. After Partition was established in Westminister in May, 1920, Winston Churchill said: "Ireland is a nation, not two nations". King George V addressed the first meeting of the Six-County Parliament on 7 June, 1920, and made a speech calling for reconsiliation amony "all my Irish subjects". Soon after Partition John Redmond stated that it would only be temporary. At the hight of the "Troubles" in the '70s, British Prime Minister Wilson said on N.Y.C. T.V. that Irish reunification was a "valid aspirastion". To my knowledge, the Dáil crowd have done noting in the past half century that might encourage the majority in the North to consider Irish unity.

michael collins,man amongst men.patriot of patriots.dont ever dare to diminish him.What ever he was FORCED to sign he did for the good of ireland and the irish people with no ulterior motives or selfish motivation.r.i.p.

I'm undecided about Collins insofar as He is revered by many as a true Patriot that used all means at His disposal to achieve Independence nd at the other extreme that He was a murdering psycopath . I do sense ,f rom everything I have read , the "Dev" ( who only ever cheated death by virtue of His American Citizenship) was a conniving snake who sent Collins to London to ensure He (Dev) could distance Himself from the partition of Ireland if it happened - which it did. I think all involved in those negotiations are now dead and it is a shame we cannot get a handle on "The Truth" or "Facts" of the matter or is there a book or papers I have missed ? Please advise if so .

While I do see a picture of Michael Collins riding in the car, I'm not convinced the photo was taken just hours before his death in August of 1922. Looking at the photo, the children appear to be dressed for much cooler weather. One child appears to be wearing a scarf. The woman behind the car appears to be wearing a hat and top coat. Both officers in the back of the car are wearing heavier uniform topcoats. And the car's exhaust is most visible with the white fumes shown in the photo. Much the same a car's hot exhaust is dramatically more visible today during cold weather. I'd say the photo is from some other time.

Correction. Collins was in a Leyland Eight as shown. However, this photo has been in circulation for at least three years.