Minister O’Donovan visits the Michael Collins homestead in Clonakilty to attend the handover of Michael Collins pocket diaries

Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), today visits the Michael Collins homestead at Woodfield, Clonakilty to attend the handover of pocket diaries belonging to Michael Collins. These diaries are of major historical importance, spanning from 1918 to 1922, and provide additional historical information covering the War of Independence and the Civil War. This long term loan is very appropriate as we approach the centenary of Collins’ death in August 2022.

Minister O’Donovan met with the local OPW National Monuments staff who maintain and preserve this listed National Monument of historic importance.

Woodfield is a smallholding of approx. 1acre which consists of the outline of the house, known as the new house, which was built in the 1890’s and destroyed in 1920 by the British. The original farmhouse was converted into cow stalls when the new house was built and this is what remains today.

The site is manage by the OPW as an open monument with free admission.