The afterlife of Michael Collins: commemoration, biography and historiography, 1922-1973

This thesis assesses the forces and influences that shaped and contested the posthumous reputation, or afterlife, of Michael Collins between the years 1922 and 1973, a key period in the consolidation of the Irish State. This era was characterised by war, reconciliation, peace, and the continuation of a range of political conflicts involving individuals and organisations which claimed the revolutionary years of 1916-1923 as a source of legitimisation.<br/><br/>Collins held various key positions within the Irish revolutionary movement. These included: IRA Director of Intelligence, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Provisional Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Irish Free State’s National Army. The political and psychological tensions that arose as a result of the Treaty caused intense controversy and led to the Irish Civil War which claimed the life of Collins. Now, approaching both the centenary of his death, and the fiftieth anniversary of the most violent year of the Northern Irish Troubles, the popularity of Collins has seemingly withstood the test of time. But to what extent was his posthumous reputation contested? What does the nature of debates surrounding Collins indicate about post-revolutionary attitudes towards conflict and reconciliation at all levels of Irish society? To analyse these questions, this thesis will focus on the themes of commemoration and political representation, biography, and historiography.<br/><i><br/>Thesis embargoed until 31 December 2027</i>.<br/>

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Queen's University Belfast

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• McCloskey, Conleth

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Coleman, Marie
• McGarry, Fearghal

• Michael Collins
• afterlife
• Mnemohistory
• cultural memory
• commemoration
• political representation
• The Irish Revolution
• reconciliation
• biography
• historiography

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/a508fe13-4172-4ac5-a9fc-35a5c623fa59

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/a508fe13-4172-4ac5-a9fc-35a5c623fa59