Michael Collins Centre

About the museum

The Michael Collins Centre stands on a hilltop on the Crowley family farm at Castleview, in the townland of Ballinoroher, about 5 km east of Clonakilty. The museum holds one of the most extensive collections in Ireland of objects from the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, including personal items linked to Michael Collins, who was born in 1890 and killed in an ambush at Béal na Bláth in 1922.

The visit centres on a live, illustrated presentation of about ninety minutes that uses photographs and maps and is told in the style of traditional Irish storytelling. It follows Collins from his birth to his death and is combined with a guided look at the collection. Smaller displays cover Henry Ford and John F. Kennedy, who both have local connections, and there is a collection about the American Civil War.

Three outdoor exhibits stand in the grounds: a 100-metre life-size re-creation of the Béal na Bláth ambush site with replicas of the Collins convoy vehicles (the Rolls-Royce armoured car Sliabh na mBan, a Crossley Tender and a Leyland touring car), a re-created firing squad execution yard that explores the 105 executions of the revolutionary period, and a memorial to the 1798 Battle of the Big Cross built from stone from a rebel leader's homestead. The centre also runs guided Michael Collins and War of Independence driving tours.

Highlights

• Live illustrated presentation on the life and death of Michael Collins
• Large collection of items from the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War
• Life-size outdoor re-creation of the Béal na Bláth ambush with replica vehicles
• Re-created firing squad execution yard
• Driving tours of Michael Collins and War of Independence sites

Permanent exhibitions

• Michael Collins exhibition and presentation – A live illustrated presentation and guided tour of a large collection of artefacts from the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, including personal items of Michael Collins.
• Béal na Bláth ambush re-creation – A life-size outdoor re-creation, about 100 metres long, of the ambush site where Collins was killed, with replica convoy vehicles.
• Firing squad execution yard and 1798 memorial – Outdoor exhibits on the executions that followed the 1916 Rising and during the War of Independence and Civil War, and a replica of an early medieval church site honouring the 1798 Battle of the Big Cross.

Admission & discounts

Admission includes the presentation, the guided look at the collection and the outdoor exhibits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that all areas in and around it are fully wheelchair accessible and that a toilet is located near reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children who can sit and listen for about an hour are welcome during the presentation, and there is a second indoor exhibition and outdoor areas for moving around afterwards. A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The centre is at the top of Castleview Hill, about 5 km east of Clonakilty (8 minutes by car) via the R600 Timoleague road, then the L8085-27 for 1.6 km. From Cork city it takes about 55 minutes and from Kinsale about 35 to 40 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

There are no hot refreshments. The shop sells cold drinks, snacks, books and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit