Michael Collins’s car to appear at Heritage Day

Michael Collins’s car to appear at Ballina Heritage Day


Fine Gael TD, Deputy Michelle Mulherin, last week confirmed that the Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, has authorised the appearance at the 2014 Ballina Heritage Day on July 9 of ‘Sliabh na mBan’, one of the vehicles that was travelling in the convoy with General Michael Collins when he was shot dead at an ambush at Beal na Blath in West Cork in August 1922.
Deputy Mulherin said, “I became aware that the organisers of the Ballina Salmon Festival were hoping to have a centrepiece attraction for the 2014 Heritage Day as part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary Ballina Salmon Festival, which runs from July 6 to July 13. It was suggested to me that an appearance by ‘Sliabh na mBan’ would be ideal if approval could be given. I was delighted to make the request personally to the Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, and he confirmed to me that he had no hesitation in giving his approval.”
Deputy Mulherin said Sliabh na mBan is one of the most iconic and indeed oldest vehicles in the country.
“Due to its association with General Collins and the ambush that resulted in his death, it is inextricably linked to the turbulent earliest days of the State and it links us to that period of our history. The importance of it to our heritage is recognised by the Defence Forces and the vehicle, a Rolls Royce armoured car, one of only two of its type surviving in the world, is cared for by the Irish Army in the Curragh, from where it attends events at home and abroad.”
Deputy Mulherin paid tribute to Benny Walkin, Ballina Salmon Festival Chairman, the committee, all the volunteers, the CE scheme workers and the many other people, past and present, who have contributed to the festival and she wished the festival every success in this, its fiftieth year.