1. Michael Collins
By Rachel (5th)

2. Born on the 16th October most biographies say, but His tombstone says 12th October Born in Sam’s Cross near Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Third son and youngest of eight children

3. His father said to him on his deathbed said "One day, he’ll be a great man, he’ll do great things for Ireland.” Known as the Big Fellow Became a messenger at a London firm of stockbrokers, Horne and company

4. The Easter Rising Served as Joseph Plunkett’s aide-de-camp in the General Post Office (GPO) Fought alongside Padraig Pearse, James Connelly and many other leaders Was arrested and brought to Frongoch internment camp in Wales and was released in December 1916

5. Got elected and refused to take a seat in Westminster along with many others they Would instead set up an Irish Parliament in Dublin In 1919,Eamon de Valera appointed him to the Aireacht (ministry) as Minister for Finance

6. The War of Independence In 1919,on the 21st of January, an ambush party of IRA volunteers attacked a pair of Guards working for the Royal Irish Constabulary. Both were shot dead. He became president of the IRB, Director of Intelligence for the IRA and Director of the Organisation and Adjutant General of the Volunteers.

7. Guerrilla war against the British took place all over the country As the war began, Eamonn de Valera went to the United States for an extended speaking tour to raise funds for the outlawed Republican government Made a group called the Squad to expressly kill British agents and informers

8. In 1920, the British offered a reward of £10,000 for information leading to his capture or death In 1920, Michael and his squad killed a number of the top British agents so the RIC opened fire into the crowed during a match in Croke Park. This is known as Bloody Sunday

9. The Truce In July,1921 Lloyd George’s government offered a truce Eamonn de Valera was involved with the original discussions however, insisted that Michael and Arthur Griffith attended the peace conference

10. Michael didn't want to go and said he was a soldier not a politician however he went “In the spirt of a soldier obeying orders.” In private letters he said “Let them make a scapegoat or whatever they want out of me. Someone must go.” However he signed the Treaty and had to leave the 6 county's in Ulster in England

11. The Civil War Michael and his group were with the Treaty while Eamon de Valera and his group were against it This lead to the Civil War. Both groups were fighting against each other

12. Michael’s Death While Michael was coming home to see his family he passed through a valley called Beal na mBlath He was shot in the head and then died. Thousands of people came to his funeral. This is how the Civil War ended.