What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 12:30pm Tuesday 11am - 12:30pm Wednesday 11am - 12:30pm Thursday 11am - 12:30pm Friday 11am - 12:30pm

Michael Collins Centre, Castleview, Clonakilty (2026)

Also Tours to all the Collins sites.

25/05/2026

Superb Theatre

Four booked out houses were treated to a wonderful interpretation of a great story at the Michael Collins Centre Museum in Castleview over the weekend. A new play “Bloodlines” written by Joseph O’Brien and directed by Stephen Berwind carried the audiences through a range of emotions for over ninety minutes. The tale set in rural Ireland the 1930’s is full of the prejudices of the time combined with forbidden love, land issues, jealousies, greed and tragedy.
The considerable talents of the fourteen actors involved were on full display and huge credit is due to everybody for the amount of work put into the play which was presented by Red Rag Productions.

Cast of Bloodlines (In order of appearance)

May O’Leary…………………......Ann Callanan
Niall O’Leary ………………….....Tomás White
Widow Murphy……………….....Caroline Conway
Séan Connors …………………. Sam Boazman
Padraig Connors ……………….Denis O’Mahony
Kate Rua O’Sullivan……………Maria Wilson
Solicitor…………………………Brendan Hayes and Michael Russell
Michael Connors…………........Ray Cooney
Ma Ryan…………………………....Emmer Dunnne
Brian O’Leary………………….....Tim Murphy
James Brown………………….... Chris Brennan
Guard 1…………………………......Christopher O’Sullivan
Guard 2……………………………...Seán Brennan

Stage Manager………………………..Nora Murphy
Sound Design…………………………..Bill Lancz
Producers ….. ……Michael Russell and Donie Walsh

Thanks to Christopher O’Sullivan, Emer Dunne, Raymond Cooney, Brendan Hayes for the photographs.

The Museum

The Michael Collins Centre Museum has also been very busy over the last number of weeks with groups large and small for “Michael Collins - His Story” Shows.
The Museum will open full time for drop in visitors for the summer months from Monday June 15th.
“Michael Collins - His Story” Shows will take place each weekday morning at 11 am.

The live stand-up history shows transport visitors back into the world of Michael Collins, with the aid of 40 images on a large screen.
The events around the death of Michael Collins in Béal na Blá are explored.
Visitors are also given a guided tour of the Museum’s extensive collection, which includes Michael Collins’ briefcase, his shaving mirror, the signed menu from his last birthday celebration and the actual Triumph motorbike from his convoy.
Outdoor living history exhibits include a life-size recreation of Béal na Blá ambush site, with full size replicas of the vehicles in the Collins’ convoy.

www.michaelcollinscentre.com

09/05/2026

Bloodlines (exciting new play)

Only a few tickets are left for the four performances of this play which are taking place at the Michael Collins Centre in Castleview from May 21st to May 24th inclusive.

Information for the purchasing of tickets is included on the poster.

We are delighted to be hosting the play at the Museum and are really looking forward to the production.

Tim and Dolores

www.michaelcollinscentre.com

01/05/2026

Michael Collins News

A unique historical publication dealing with the life and times of Michael Collins, and other aspects of Irish history has just been published by the Michael Collins 100 Committee. The committee, with Cork City Council, organised the placing the statue of Michael Collins with his bicycle on the Grand Parade in October 2023.
The 108 page - glossy - A4 size - magazine “Michael Collins News” Volume 2, was launched recently in the historic surroundings of Collins’ Barracks in Cork City.
Fidelma Collins (Grandniece of Michael Collins) and Sean Hales (Grandson of Tom Hales and Grand Nephew of Sean Hales) jointly launched the publication in the Officer’s Mess.
The magazine has long and short articles contributed by over twenty writers. It is heavily illustrated with photographs and documents, some of which will be seen in public for the first time. Many of the articles contain newly researched history and some of the photographs have been brought to life through colourisation. The publication also includes drone photography of historical sites and QR codes which lead readers to further reading, viewing and listening.
Michael Collins News, which has no advertising, is available in bookshops, museums and other outlets throughout Cork county and city and is also available by post.

For purchases by post please email,
[email protected]

www.michaelcollinscentre.com

17/04/2026

Did you know these cloaks were a secret weapon during the War of Independence? 🇮🇪

We recently visited the Michael Collins Centre with our guests. One of the highlights was seeing our guests try on the West Cork Hooded Cloak replica—an interactive experience that truly brings history to life!It might look like a traditional garment, but during the fight for independence, it was a piece of tactical engineering:

🔹 The material: They were made of Melton wool, an extremely dense and heavy fabric designed to withstand the harsh coastal weather.

🔹 Designed for smuggling: The cut was so generous that the women of Cumann na mBan, the women’s organization associated with the Irish Republican Army, could hide long rifles or vital documents against their bodies without changing their silhouette, helping them avoid suspicion.

🔹 Social camouflage: Soldiers had deep-seated gender biases and rarely searched women with the same rigor as men. This allowed them to become the "invisible messengers" of the resistance, crossing enemy checkpoints while carrying ammunition and supplies.

The vital role that women played in the War of Independence wasn't fully recognised for many decades afterwards. The courage and strategic brilliance of the members of Cumann na mBan were a fundamental part of Ireland's Independence movement and the shaping of modern Ireland.

If you are interested in the War of Independence, West Cork and the Michael Collins Centre is an essential stop. 🇮🇪

28/03/2026

A taste of Hollywood

We got a taste of Hollywood this morning at the Michael Collins Centre Museum in Castleview. We hosted a film crew and cast of a new film which is based on the story of Michael Collins. The cast are members of Newcestown GAA club and their Michael Collins film is one of a number of films being made by the club as part of a fundraising drive.

We were blessed with the weather and everyone found the experience very entertaining. In the film, Michael Collins is played by Ken Wilkins and Eamon de Valera is played by Eoin Verling.

The Museum at Castleview has been busy recently with school, men’s shed and active retired groups. The start of the museum’s drop-in season is literally around the corner, beginning on Monday the 15th of June and continuing until Mid- September.

www.michaelcollinscentre.com

Address

Castleview
Clonakilty
P85W865CO.CORK

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 12:30pm
Tuesday	11am - 12:30pm
Wednesday	11am - 12:30pm
Thursday	11am - 12:30pm
Friday	11am - 12:30pm

Telephone

0238846107

Website

http://www.michaelcollinscentre.com/

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