The Diamond Bar
| The Diamond Bar | |
|---|---|
|
Pub where Michael Collins convoy stopped at the day of his assassination. | |
| Type | Pub |
| Location | Béal na Bláth |
| Coordinates | 51°49′18.4″N 8°51′20.0″W / 51.821778°N 8.855556°WCoordinates: 51°49′18.4″N 8°51′20.0″W / 51.821778°N 8.855556°W |
| Built | 1840 |
| Owner | Eugene O'Callaghan |
| Website | thediamondbar.wordpress.com |
The Diamond Bar, formerly known as Long's Pub, is a historical site in Béal na Bláth in the townland of Glannarouge in the country-side of County Cork. The ambush that led to the assassination of the Irish leader Michael Collins was planned in a storehouse situated behind the Diamond Bar. The Michael Collins Memorial, close to where Michael Collins was shot, is located one mile south of the Diamond Bar.
History
During the Irish Civil War, Michael Collins was on his way from Macroom to Bandon, County Cork on the morning of 22 August 1922. The travelling convoy included a Crossley tender, eight men armed with rifles, a motorcyclist, an armoured car and Michael Collins' staff car.[1] A meeting of Anti-Treaty Republicans had been scheduled for the same day in Murray's farmhouse,[2] behind the Diamond Bar, which is located on the road to Bandon.[3]
A chauffeur was hired by Collins' convoy to show them an alternative route from Macroom to Bandon, as access was blocked on other routes due to bridges being destroyed. However, the convoy temporarily lost sight of the chauffeur's car, and as the convoy approached the five crossroads of Béal na Bláth, the convoy's scout leader asked Denny Long (known locally as Denny the Dane) for directions to Bandon.[4] Long recognised Michael Collins in the staff car, and informed Republican Tom Hales that Collins was amongst the convoy. Hales decided to plan an ambush in the event of Collins' return from Bandon via the same route. Though Éamon de Valera was at Long's Pub that day[5] and some sources suggest he dissuaded against the ambush,[6] plans were set into motion which resulted in the death of Michael Collins.[7]
Architecture
The Diamond Bar is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. It is listed as a "detached three-bay two-storey house, built in 1840, with shopfront to front (north-west) elevation and single-storey extension to side (south-west). Set at Bealnablath crossroads, this building occupies a prominent position in the landscape. Its well proportioned facade is enhanced by the retention of the timber sliding sash windows, attractive tripartite pubfront window opening and render detailing."[8]
Today
As of 2016, the Diamond Bar remains open. Some older exterior features are still visible. For example, the front bay-window and an iron ring attached to the front wall where horses would have been tied up, are still as they were back in 1922. The Diamond Bar organises traditional Irish road bowling events and offers tours of the Collins' ambush site.
References
- ↑ "The journey to West Cork". Collins 22 Society. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
- ↑ "The Ambush". Collins 22 Society. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
- ↑ Paul Donnelle (2012), Assassination!, ASIN B007B48OKQ
- ↑ Cathal Liam (2006), Blood on the Shamrock: A Novel of Ireland's Civil War, ISBN 0970415524
- ↑ "Éamon De Valera". Politico. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
- ↑ James Mackay (1996), Michael Collins: A Life, ISBN 1851588574
- ↑ Colm Connolly (1997), Michael Collins: Shadow of Bealnablath, ASIN 6302041252
- ↑ "National Inventory of Architectural Heritage". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 2016-01-05.