Bertie wasn't there. The government was "represented" by Joe Walsh, Agriculture Minister. Tim Pat Coogan who wrote a book about Michael gave what I thought was a long winded speech which went over the designated time of 8pm. Liam Neeson received the best ovation of the night. Michael Collins' two nieces Joan Burnworth and Nancy Hurley were also present and laid two wreaths the foot of the monument. His grand-niece Nora Owen was also present. The statue itself was designed and cast by sculptor Kevin Holland and is approximately seven feet high and is on a granite pedestal. It shows him in civilian clothes and is based on a photograph taken when he attended an election rally in Clonakilty in 1922. Impossible to get near it on the night due to the crowds but I managede to get some great photos thanks to the zoom facility on the camera. An additional souvenir of the day is a reproduction of the newspaper "The West Cork People" of which his brother-in-law was editor. All in all a tribute which was long overdue and which I wouldn't have missed for the world.
Pooka: Dev was in Lincoln jail and there are some including myself who reckon that Michael should have left him there. mind you, I suppose it's all immaterial now. No comment so far from Sinn Fein (as far as I am aware). My brother was quite annoyed at what appeared to be scant coverage by RTE as he said there will be something like five hours given over to the upcoming "Rose of Tralee."