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

The death of Michael Collins was a great blow to Irish Statesmanship and to the principle that politicians or men wishing to hold public office should be men of respect, which statement rules out men who are active leaders or members of the IRA. I think it would be right to say that no one really understands the Irish, even the Irish themselves. And that's why it's such a lovable country with such a huge array of diverse talent. Suffice to say around the world and, mostly in the USA, you have Internationally respected men and women of Irish ancestry, and it might be wise for a Council of 40 such men and such women, 20 men and 20 women, drawn from all over the world' to hold an advisory-role-voice advising the Irish Government officially or unofficially on the way forward in all fields of endeavour including finance and business. I know it's fashionable to castigate the English, and to blame them for Ireland troubles, but would ask is this not more myth than fact? No matter what outsiders may think 'the special bonds between Ireland and England are well strong, welded together, and these bonds form a 'special relationship' between both countries which no one wishes to damage, put aside or destroy. If you wish to dispute this then please loook carefully at the trade between these two nations, and if I may say so 'the price the Irish charge us for their yearling racehorses and greyhounds, and cheese or beef indicates, sometimes we don't always get the best deal from them. What's really needed is to improve the Irish Tourist Industry, and to encourage every person in the world with a drop of Irish blood in them to visit Ireland,

I think the photo is fliped the wrong way round, the car should be right hand drive

(Regarding the last photo taking of Michael Collins) A lot of interest lately in Michael Collins, he seems to be all over the media & internet. Can’t claim to know much about the politics or the facts of Irelands bloody past. I have an interest in the vehicles of the period and a keen eye for studying old images. To the best of my knowledge the Leyland motor company only produced a very small number of the Leyland eight touring car and none of them were left hand drive. If the did I can’t imagine there been one in Ireland.

Either way its great to have photos of this era, remember all, the centenary of 1916 easter rising is looming fast and fabulous commemorative coins available from 1916uprising.ie Lasting mementos.

Im afraid the photo above is not a new find. Check out the book "The day Michael Collins was shot" by Media Ryan, first published in 1989. This photo is one of a number published in the book. It was taken outside Lee's hotel in Bandon Co Cork on the day Collins met his death. They were setting off back to Cork city which would take them via Béal na mBláith. And sadly we all know what happened there.

The only "b2tch Collins was interested was his best friends gal and he had him executed. And executions were committed by both sides such is the tragedy of civil war. I have no doubt if Collins lived he would not have accepted the division and would've enforced the treaty to the letter.

What are ye on darrah S?

darragh: I have no idea what you are talking about.

The defeated state often considers the outcome merely as a transitory evil, for which a remedy may still be found in political conditions at some later date said no one ever.

ancavker- Yes he was.. as Churchill said to Collins Ireland is the mistress of her own house..in plain words you are our bitch!!

2nd: Collins was no Psychpath, and Dev's AMerican birth did not stop him from execution. he was not executed, because by the time his turn came, the Irish people were disgusted witht the executions, and the British government stopped them.

Anglo-clueless Michael Collin's was no ones B@tch as you say. I wish some people who post here would acyually have some understanding and knowledge of Irish history.

Sean McGarry was Mr Collins right hand man right! Look what the IRA did to McGarry, tried to kill him to only they killed his son. The IRA at the time were also not phased by the threat that the British Empire would come through and do what King Edward of Holland ordered Oliver Cromwell to do to King James, which is what Collins was threatened with during the treaty talks. That's the way I understand it. Given Wolfe Tones instruments in setting up the IRA that's hardly surprising coming from a conspiracy theory perspective. Other wise the death of Mick is an x-file and always will be until such time as the IRA come clean about it. (3rd time lucky)

Sean McGarry was Mr Collins right hand man right! Look what the IRA did to McGarry, tried to kill him to only they killed his son. The IRA at the time were also not phased by the threat that the British Empire would come through and do what King Edward of Holland ordered Oliver Cromwell to do to King James, which is what Collins was threatened with during the treaty talks. That's the way I understand it. Given Wolfe Tones instruments in setting up the IRA that's hardly surprising coming from a conspiracy theory perspective. Other wise the death of Mick is x-file and always will be until such time as the IRA come clean about it.

Sean McGarry was Mr Collins right hand man right! Look what the IRA did to McGarry, tried to kill him to only they killed his son. The IRA at the time were also not phased by the threat that the British Empire would come through and do what King Edward of Holland ordered Oliver Cromwell to do to King James, smash. That's the way I understand it. Given Wolfe Tones instruments in setting up the IRA that's hardly surprising coming from a conspiracy theory perspective. Other wise the death of Mick is x-file and always will be until such time as the IRA come clean about it.