Cork’s Independence Declared!

02 October 2013

History will be made on Wednesday October 16th, as the People's Republic of Cork will finally be granted its long, sought after independence (for one day only) during Cork Rebel Week. Cork Independence Day will be celebrated around the city and county with a thrilling line-up of events, honouring the Rebel County's greatest Military hero, General Michael Collins, on his birthday.

The day long commemoration is one of the highlights of Cork Rebel Week (14th - 20th October), which celebrates Cork's rich heritage and strong identity, and is being run jointly by Cork City and County Councils and is supported by The Gathering Ireland and a wide range of local organisations.

 1 Brigade of the Defence Forces in Collins Barracks are celebrating the birthday of General Michael Collins with an Open Day in Collins Barracks on Military Hill from 10am - 4pm. Guided tours of the Military Museum will offer the general public the opportunity to see first-hand a range of rare armoured fighting vehicles from 1922 including the Slieve na mBan, in which Collins was fatally wounded at Béal na mBláth in 1922.

At 10.30am a Guard of Honour with troops drawn from units of Collins Barracks will render honours on the occasion of the celebration of General Michael Collins. Military personnel will be on hand to talk visitors through the Barracks' specially commissioned exhibitions including The Franco Irish Exhibition and the Irish Volunteers Exhibition. While the Military Units of Collins Barracks will display present day equipment, used both at home and in overseas deployments including Combat Support Equipment, Explosive Ordnance Equipment, as well as DF Transport Fleet vehicles. A Military Pipe Band and the Band of 1 Bde will perform on the Barrack Square at intervals throughout the day.

Lt. Col Pat Coleman of Collins Barracks said: "General Michael Collins holds an exalted place in the memory of Irish people, no celebration of Cork would be complete without honouring its greatest Military hero and this most iconic of Irishmen. For history enthusiasts the Open Day at Collins Barracks promises to be a spectacular event, one which will strike pride in the heart of Corkonians young and old."

The town of Clonakilty will honour the birth of its favourite son with an impressive schedule of events throughout the day, the highlight of which is sure to be a re-enactment of one of Collins' famous speeches, at the Cork Independence Day parade in the town from 7pm. Celebrations kick off early, as from 8am to 12pm, local group, ‘West Cork Sand Circles' will take to the picturesque Inchydoney Beach to create a giant work of art in the sand symbolising all things Cork. Organisers are inviting the general public to join in the creation of the masterpiece. Other events throughout the day include an old-time market, Clonakilty Black Pudding food event, road bowling exhibition, brass bands concert, Rory Gallagher Expo, and a ‘Rebel Proclamation of Corkness'. All events in Clonakilty are open to the public and are free to attend.

As well as commemorating Michael Collins, Cork Independence Day will benefit thousands of sick children from all over Munster who attend the Children's Unit at Cork University Hospital, Cork Rebel Week's charity partner, each year. "Visa Checkpoints" manned by volunteers around the city and county will control entry to "the real capital" throughout the day and visitors to Cork are invited to purchase a special Visa for just €2. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the Visas will go directly to improving the facilities in the Unit.

For more details of all Cork Independence Day events and activities see www.corkrebelweek2013.com.