Michael Collins’ grandniece has said the statue of him unveiled in Cork city this morning is on the ground because he was 'always on the same level as the people'.
Hundreds of people gathered on the city's Grand Parade for the unveiling of the revolutionary leader’s statue today.
Sculptor Kevin Holland was commissioned to create the near life-size statue, which shows Collins with a bicycle as seen in a photograph taken in Wexford in 1922.
Hundreds of people turned out on the Grand Parade Cork City today for the reveal of a highly anticipated new statue of Michael Collins, 20-10-2023. Image: Darragh KaneSpeaking to Newstalk, Collins’ grand-niece Fidelma Collins says she did not want the statue to be up high.
"Michael Collins is a national hero, but he was a Cork man," she said.
"As you can see the statue is at ground-level because he's of the people, for the people.
"We didn't want him up on a high plinth looking down on top of us.
"We want him to be here at ground level where we can all say hello to him when we're passing," she added.
Hundreds of people turned out on the Grand Parade Cork City today for the reveal of a highly anticipated new statue of Michael Collins, 20-10-2023. Image: Darragh KaneStatue of Michael Collins unveiled on Grand Parade pic.twitter.com/0MZXtkA8cO
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A motion was passed by a large majority of members of Cork City Council last September, asking them to facilitate the erection of a statute of Michael Collins in Cork city centre in recognition of his contribution to the struggle for Irish independence.
The proposal was for the 'Michael Collins 100 Committee' to raise the funds, have the statue made and then present to Cork City Council for placement at a suitable location.
Two members of the Michael Collins Committee, Tim Crowley and Traolach Ó Donnabháin, were also the driving forces behind the Michael Collins statue in Clonakilty in 2002.
