The Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at Béal na mBláth. Picture: Dan Linehan

Despite the passing of 90 years, the legacy of Michael Collins was never more evident than it was on a quiet, lonely west Cork road yesterday.
More than 3,500 people travelled from all corners of the country to Béal na mBláth to commemorate one of the founding fathers of the State, the Army’s first Commander in Chief, a Minister for Finance and a gigantic figure in Irish history.
From 8am yesterday they began to make their pilgrimage to hear the first serving Taoiseach ever deliver the oration.
At around 3.30pm An Taoiseach Enda Kenny rose to address the masses.
And as Collins’ words inspired a generation nine decades ago, they inspired Enda Kenny yesterday.
“As a nation we will mark his passing by dedicating ourselves to Collins’ ideals of self determination, pursuit of excellence and we will celebrate Ireland’s life,” said the Taoiseach, who was accompanied yesterday by his wife and three children.
The spiritual home of Fine Gael, Béal na mBláth was yesterday seen as a springboard for a better Ireland.
Collins’ grandniece, former minister Nora Owen, said; “People saw in Collins a man of great integrity. We’re in a similar situation now as we were then and I think Collins’ vision was never more important.”
More than 150 members of the Defence Forces also marked the occasion and a guard of honour by members of the 4th Infantry
Battalion and 1 Southern Brigade was inspected by the Taoiseach on his arrival.
Four wreathes were laid by Enda Kenny; the justice minister, Alan Shatter; Lieutenant General, Sean McCann and Frank Metcalf from the commemoration committee.
And for the first time since 1922, following its restoration two years ago, the armoured car which was part of the convoy the day Collins was shot dead — the iconic Sliabh na mBan — was also at Béal na mBláth.
As the piper’s lament played, the thoughts of the thousands of people present were on the legendary 31-year-old west Cork man who was cut down in his prime.
The spot where he fell to his death, which is located next to where the monument now stands, is marked by a white stone with a simple black cross engraved on it.
See Page 18 for excerpts from Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s oration.