Michael Collins

Justifying this would be too long!

Michael Collins beat the British at their own game. After the betrayal of the Home Rule promise by the British Government after the war and the continued oppression of Ireland by the British imperial government, terrorism was the only alternative. The tragedy was that Collins was realistic enough to take what he could get. De Valera was not. Collins won freedom for Ireland but paid with his life. The present day IRA is because of De Valera, not Collins.

Just another Irish terrorist glorified by mindless Irishmen all over the world. You can call this piece of garbage one of the fathers of terrorisim. Thanks to him and and his kind we got the IRA and wonderful accessories like nail bombs in pubs. The man was a coward just like the rest of his minions.

A great and sometimes misunderstood man who fought and died for his country's cause. An proud Irishman, but also a pragmatist, who helped in signing a treaty with the British Government (" I Know by signing this that I have signed my own death warrant") which would in turn lead to civil war in Ireland - eventually leading to the deliverance of a republic the vast majority of Irish people had craved for. It can be argued that Eamon De Valera pulled the wool over Collins' eyes, and many others' too, by opting out of attending negotiations in London, thereby leaving Collins to take all the flak from any fallout, should things not turn out to everyone's satisfaction. De Valrea would later be accused of having been aware in advance that the British would not yield to all the demands, and in effect was using Collins as a patsy. De Valera, who later became President (Toiseach) of the Irish Republic would later say long after Collins' assasination - "It is my considered opinion that ... Read more

I think irishgit has summed it up pretty well, and I don't have anything to say about it that's particularly different. I am a relative of John Boyle O'Reilly, a prominent 19th century Fenian, human rights activist, orator, and author, and am naturally heavily biased against the British government, landowners, soldiers, and monarchs on matters regarding Ireland and Irish history, though I'm sure the ordinary people over in England are often fine people, their leaders have usually been ruthless, and have as awful a record in human rights, religious persecution, murder, theft, and oppression in Ireland and elsewhere, as any group on the earth. Probably more. Collins a terrorist? Sure,ok, I'll buy that. But so is Thatcher, Henry the 8th, Elizabeth the 1st, Cromwell, and a host of others who were far worse.

To clarify for the bloody ignorant, and crypto-racist, at least one of which is represented below, there is a world of difference between bombing pubs full of non-combatants, and fighting and ambushing hired thugs and trained soldiers. Was Collins a terrorist? In the strict definition of the word, and certainly in the minds of the British, yes. However, he was the kind of "terrorist" that choses military targets, and doesn't seek to sow random horror. Was he a gentle man? Not hardly. He was a tough, bloody minded and sometimes murderous man, who chose the only route that seemed open to win his nation's freedom from oppression. Having won the war, he failed to win the peace, and paid the price of that failure with his life. Put one Irishman on a spit, and you'll always find another one to turn it.

Please... After centuries of martyrs like Emmet, Wolfe, O'Connel, Pearse and Clarke and victories for the British here was finally a man who fought the British... and beat them. He eneded seven centuries of British rule in Ireland and never intended to uphold the Irish Free State... the stepping stone to ultimate theory freedom was proven right by none other than de valera himself. Also, he didn't sign away anything: the treaty had to be ratified first, and it was... first by the cabinet, then by the Dail, and most importantly, by the Irish people. He is the greatest Irishman ever, since he also inspired small nations to battle empires, which still holds true to thsi day. RIP, Mick.

The big fellow with a big heart & big mouth, betrayed.... canny trust anyone!....

He was a great guerilla fighter who fought the British g-men and black & tans with amazingly effective tactics and he himself was very brave. However, he gave up 6 counties to the Brits, and these are still occupied. He exectued anti-treaty IRA men. He did not win independence for Ireland, for some of it. Overall, though, the world needs to know more about this great man, he came close to defeating the British and was a better military leader than many of the leaders in WWI and WWII.

Truly one of the greatest leaders. He fought against 900 years of english oppression and won Ireland's freedom. How can anyone critisize thiss man? His methods may have been unpopular, but their was no other way. Attempts at diplomacy were grounds for execution and directly confronting the English regulars was suicide.