Michael Collins

Biographical History

Born in Woodfield, Clonakilty, County Cork, Michael Collins emigrated to London when he was sixteen, living with his sister Hannah in West Kensington. He worked initially with the British post office, a branch of the Customs and Excise Service, and later with Horne & Co, a firm of bankers. He was heavily involved with the Gaelic League and the Gaelic Athletic Association during his years in London and in 1914 he joined a London company of the Irish Volunteers. He returned to Ireland in 1916.

Archival History

This collection was transferred from Marquette University Library, Milwaukee, USA to UCD Archives on 10 June 1994. 

Scope and Content

Documents relating to Collins’ career in London including his preparation for Civil Service Custom & Excise examinations and his involvement with the Gaelic League and the Gaelic Athletic Association. Includes examination preparatory course work; material relating to the administration and activities of both the Gaelic League and the GAA; draft writings by Collins on Irish history and politics; personal documents.

Access: Available online at the UCD Digitial Library.The UCD Digital Library is currently unavailable. Please email (opens in a new window)archives@ucd.ie regarding access queries to affected collections

Language: English

Finding aid: Descriptive catalogue

Related Collections Elsewhere

Further collections of Michael Collins' papers can be found in the (opens in a new window)National Library of Ireland and the (opens in a new window)Military Archives.

Publication Note

Anne Dolan and William Murphy.Michael Collins: The Man and the Revolution. (Dublin: Collins Press, 2018)