Michael Collins Centre Museum
Located on the Crowley family farm at Castleview near Clonakilty on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Michael Collins Centre Museum really brings the story of General Michael Collins, Soldier, Politician, Statesman and relative of the Crowley’s to life.
This award winning Museum was founded by Tim Crowley and his wife Dolores in 2000.
Tim grew up on the family farm, the eldest of five brothers and was heavily infuenced by a rich family history from the time of the 1916 rebellion, the War of Independence and Civil War. and story telling tradition.
After finishing school Tim ending up working as farm steward in Darrara Agricultural College and in 1986 was one of the founders of the Lisnagun Ringfort restoration project on the college farm, which was opened to the public in 1991.
Returning to work on the Family farm in 1993 and at that stage married to Dolores with a young family, the couple decided to set up a Museum and Heritage park on the farm with a strong emphasis on interpreting the life and times of their famous cousin Michael Collins.
Michael Collins Centre Museum
The presentation at the Museum has evolved over the decades and today it is divided into three parts.
Part 1
Using the unigue story telling techniques passed down to him from his Uncle and Grandfather, Tim Crowley performs a dramatised slideshow/talk which transports visitors back into to the amazing story of Michael Collins.
Part 2
A guided tour of the Museum’s collection gives the visitors an insight into some amazing artefacts and documents from the Irish Revolutionary period, including personal items which once belonged to Michael Collins.
Part 3
Visitors are also guided through the outdoor museum exhibits, which include a lifesize recreation of the Béal na Blá ambush site with replicas of the vehicles in Michael Collins’ Convoy and recreation of a firing squad execution yard.
Tim Crowley with over a quarter of a century has also been taking visitors on Michael Collins and War of Independence tours to the many sites in West Cork where the history happened.
These half day and full day tours are booked on appointment by contacting the Michael Collins Centre Museum.
