Béal na mBláth

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The Cross on the bend in the road commemorating where Michael Collins, leader of the Irish Army, was killed in the summer of 1922.
The Cross on the bend in the road commemorating where Michael Collins, leader of the Irish Army, was killed in the summer of 1922.

Béal na mBláth (English: mouth of the flowers), often incorrectly spelled Béal na Bláth is a tiny village in West Cork, Province of Munster, Republic of Ireland which is best known for being the location of the shooting of Michael Collins on 22 August 1922 during the Irish Civil War.

Commemorations are held on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary of the death of Collins. Fine Gael's leader always attends as do Collins' descendants. In 1997 Collins' nephew delivered the oration. The Irish Army also attends.

The road was a dirt road when the "Lost Leader" was shot. A small white cross marks the spot where he fell which lies 5 m further west from the grey podium. Before the white cross there was a wooden cross which was erected within months of Collins' death.

Coordinates: 51°49′N, 8°51′W

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