Michael Collins Commemoration To Take Place In Cork

Taoiseach Simon Harris will lead the ceremony at Béal na Blath today.

Large crowds are expected at Béal na Blath in Cork today, to mark the 102nd anniversary of Irish patriot and revolutionary Michael Collins. 

The commander in chief of the National Army was just 31 when he was ambushed and killed, during the Irish Civil War. 

Simon Harris will become just the third serving Taoiseach to speak the commemoration ceremony, giving an oration at 3 o'clock this afternoon. 

In his speech The Taoiseach will reference Collin's genius, commitment to democracy and the idealism that inspired the generations that followed.  

Enda Kenny addressed it in 2012 for the 90th anniversary, while then-taoiseach Michéal Martin and former tánaiste Leo Varadkar addressed the centenary anniversary two years ago.

For those planning to attend today's event, a park-and-ride service will be in operation from noon from Crookstown village, with parking also available on the western side of the memorial.