Emmet Dalton remembers: The Irish Civil War, Michael Collins, Beal na Blah, Ardmore Films

Section of RTE documentary covering the life and times of Major General Emmet Dalton. This part covers the events surrounding the killing of Michael Collins, the aftermath and Emmet's disillusion with the High Command, followed by his career inventing the Irish Film Industry.
Discussion of the era and comments on the film are welcome, but please note that knee-jerk comments that peddle or re-peddle debunked conspiracy theories, unfounded claims, and unsourced or unreferenced assertions will all be deleted.

[@Dechieftian]

Emmet Dalton passed away on March 4, 1978. Coincidentally, he was born on March 4, exactly 80 years before in 1898. This RTE Documentary is by now more than fifty years old. I am struck firstly by the great value this first hand account of Michael Collins assasination has from an archival and historical perspective. The account details as recalled by Major General Dalton are stunning. The level of detail and positioning of the players throughout the short but eventful fifteen to twenty minutes during the ambush is remarkable. And speaks to the brilliance of the man that is recalling that fateful day of August 22 1922 on the road between Macroom and Bandon, Co. Cork. The candid, lucid and detail filled account of the event that occured about fifty years prior is equally remarkable. For amateur historians and all those interested in Irish history in particular this documentary has been a real treasure. Thanks for making this possible.

[@Analiffey1916]

Thank you so much for this amazing unknown ( to me) footage. What a wonderful patriotic gentleman plus he had the gift of knowing and working with my lifelong hero, the big fella, “Micheal Collins” To hear him talk of his love and respect for Michael brought tears to my eyes. Emmet Dalton was a walking History book, what an outstanding memory!god bless his heart a true Irish hero and patriot , Scíth go maith

[@stevethomas5849]

He was certainly a gentleman, with an amazing insight to those early days of a fledgling independent Ireland. As a Brit I salute him.

[@geraldneary1948]

Good man good quality.

[@andynixon2820]

Yes as another brit I agree with you .

[@sherp2u1]

Fair play to ye Steve...if there were a few more like you on both sides, we would be further along the road to peace and prosperity.

[@Minime163]

True more people like you boys needed if we're going to finally help the people of northern Ireland win the peace up there.

[@antoniobruno5194]

Questo ti fa molto onore....da un italiano che ama l Irlanda!

[@liamhayes1011]

The best of that generation, people like Collins and Dalton and others on the anti-treaty side too, were men and women of great character who loved their country and wanted to build a new Ireland, free and fair. They deserve immense respect.

[@marks_sparks1]

My love of Collins - I use no other word - hasn't altered one iota in the passage of time. He was a man I didn't know all that long, but I knew terribly well in a very short time. And whereas I don't think he showed me any special favours, he was always very kind to me and very understanding. And he placed or seemed to place a lot of trust in me and in my judgement. And this is a most rewarding feeling from someone who you admired so much. A man of immense ability, untiring energy, and thoughtfulness for others. At the end of a day when most people would look for a rest, I've known him to go around to look for the relatives of people whom had suffered a loss to try & give them some comfort. And this from a man who never had a free moment for himself. He was - a patriot, a most courageous man and a great, great gentleman!

[@TheBoru2011]

How do you know all this ?

[@thomaslogue7773]

Michael Collins was a genius and Ireland greatest patriot r I p

[@johnboyle9082]

This state owes Emmet Dalton so much more than a footnote

[@PaulFagan]

Completely agree!

[@johnmurray3956]

Completely... So long as FF/FG are around, ye can forget that

[@irishgranny23]

Absolutely

[@fcb9950]

@@johnmurray3956 And the Shinners

[@Minime163]

Great man didn't get nearly enough recognition for his achievements in getting independence and eventually a republic for us.

[@fancifulrat]

Every Irish man should know about Emmet Dalton , a true hero and gentleman .

[@kennrobson2738]

what about his brother Charlie

[@geraldneary1948]

He was a very good fellow.

[@jakenconor]

Have you read Bryce Evans' biography of Sean Lemass ? Apparently, the Lemass family had reason to believe Dalton was involved in the disgraceful, cold blooded murder of Noel Lemass . Perhaps Dalton was not the noblest of soldiers after all.

[@emmet0alex]

jakenconor interesting comment. As a grandson of Emmet Dalton I remember being given a lift as a child with my family by Sean Lemass something I doubt he would have if there was anything to that story. People have written books to sell them and paper never refused ink

[@jakenconor]

@@emmet0alex Lemass also helped Charlie Dalton's family with his pension. A decent man.

[@stephenc8]

amazing, thank you so much for the upload

[@charlesneely]

why? his death was unnecessary thx the free irishmen and colin the brit had brought to thier kneffes? i dont like to watch the movie"micheal collins " with son of erires laim neeson idont lkie watch ing that movies becuse of the ending

[@nev7711]

Respect to the man to recognise and recall the tribute by the Royal Navy saluting Michael Collins when his body sailed past out of Cobh (Queenstown) and playing the last post. General Dalton truly was an asset to Ireland in many ways.

[@watchingyou245]

Royal Navy

[@nev7711]

@@watchingyou245 Thank you. I've now corrected the error.

[@TheFearghus2]

fuck u and the royal navy

[@nev7711]

@@TheFearghus2 You're obviously not someone who has held a gun in conflict. Experience allows a man to respect their foe.

[@TheFearghus2]

@@nev7711 u r an asshole ,wat has that got to do with wat i said u stupid prick, wat a tosser

[@brianbozo2447]

Interviewer is Cathal O'Shannon. very good irish journalist. Amazing interview I never knew even existed. Emmet Dalton had actually more world experience than Collins and I can well imagine Collins had alot of respect for him.

[@lorainedelaney1753]

Fantastic journalist and broadcaster.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Cathal O Shannon was in the British army in 1945.

[@billmagowan1492]

@@wolfthequarrelsome504 he was a tail gunner in the RAF

[@Minime163]

I remember cathal o'shaughnessy very good journalist we have no one who comes even close to his generations journalistic skills today.

[@raymondmurphy9593]

​@@wolfthequarrelsome504like so many Irish people in the wars .

[@evelynmccabe3855]

This is an an amazing interview with Emmet Dalton. Lord rest his soul what a traumatic experience he had. He was a real gentleman a very honourable Irishman and we should all remember Emmet Dalton as a very important person with Michael Collins and others in Ireland's independence. There is so much about him in later life I didnt know such as making films Ardmore studios. A great man. We should never forget. A great piece of history.

[@scotelizalde538]

This was amazing!! I’m from Los Angeles CA I saw the Michael Collins movie years ago, after that I read a biography on his life and after that traveled to Dublin, then south to Cork, then to Northern Ireland.. I got a little emotional watching this

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

Fairplay lad, I hope you enjoyed your time in Ireland. Ireland received great support from Americans when she needed it, and still does. 🇮🇪🇺🇲

[@scotelizalde538]

@@antseanbheanbocht4993 yea man.. it’s crazy that some of time public buildings in Dublin still have artillery damage from the uprisings… America could really use a Micheal Collins right now..

[@cahillgreg]

Coincidentally, Emmet was born in the USA.

[@shredder9536]

@@scotelizalde538 Collins was a Benedict Arnold. He swore an oath to the King in 1922 and collaborated with the British with Churchill giving him guns to destroy the IRA. The IRA killed Collins for his treachery

[@scotelizalde538]

@@shredder9536 wow I don’t know way to say about that.. I’m not from Ireland so I’m not sure what to say.. I feel like the British empire was extremely powerful so total victory for Ireland was extremely ambitious and to pursue it could end bad for everyone.. If I’m wrong enlighten me

[@blackbarnz]

What a life this man lived. He was a honored British WWI hero & an officer in the struggle for Irish Independence. Amazing the influence he left behind, a real class act.

[@alanhindmarch657]

I am an Englishman and believe in Irish Freedom. I think Micheal Collins is a Hero and found this extremely interesting to be told about the events that led to Collins death.

[@eamonnbehan360]

Fair play to you

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

🙏🏻🇮🇪🙏🏻

[@fyrdman2185]

You should be sent to live in ireland you pooof

[@cahillgreg]

To think that Emmet was 24 when this happened & prior to that had been a teen officer in the Battle of the Somme.

[@phillipecook3227]

Witness to an extraordinary piece of history.

[@johnmagee810]

The revolutionary era brought forward an extraordinary generation in Ireland. People who were not just patriots who dared to imagine a free and democratic Ireland and had the moral and physical courage to achieve it, but who were leaders in industry, the arts, and education among other fields.

[@eddiemccausland4260]

What a leader this man would have made after Collins died true patriot

[@jakenconor]

But what did he do for Ireland afterwards?

[@chris.dalton]

@@jakenconor afterwards? After what? I think it's quite well covered in the two videos uploaded, but if you mean after Collins's death, he served as commander of the southern forces of the National Army and stayed to see the military job through, and was widely agreed to have shortened what was turning into a divisive and lingering civil war with minimum bloodshed and rancour. All this by the age of 24. He resigned from the top command when he disagreed with the policy of executing anti treaty prisoners and served instead as the clerk to the new Irish Senate, a position of public service requiring considerable skills of diplomacy. One might add that in the meantime he had set up the fledgling Irish air force, designed the uniform of the National Army, and so on... He also set up Ireland's first film studios...

[@PROSPECTBARN]

@@chris.dalton But apart from that.:-) (with acknowledgements to Monty Python)

[@geeeeeee3]

So, so terribly sad, tragic and wasteful.

[@oldhippiejon]

I was introduced to the life of Michael Collins by a teacher in my secondary school, he became an hero for me at the age of twelve, I have always admired this man even though I am English, great men, really great men cross the boundary of nationality and Collins was a really great man what could have been achieved if only they had driven on.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

He was a traitor to Ireland.

[@peterdoyle1591]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw Don't be so stupid James. Pro-treaty or anti-treaty. Nobody ever in Ireland considered him a traitor. Only a few idiots.

[@sherp2u1]

I didn't know the Royal Navy paid tribute to Collins, and at Queenstown/Cork above all places, that was a real touch of class and military professionalism.

[@liamtaggart57]

A great man with foresight. A straight and true courageous gentleman

[@palhein-reim7430]

What a regal and heroic man General Dalton was.

[@colmtreacy3032]

God bless Micheal Collins

[@geraldneary1948]

A true Irish man and hero.

[@petrasant5495]

Yes, And GOD Bless Ireland. Love from Wales.

[@geraldneary1948]

And Dev as well.as they were both great Patriots, and are in heaven now.

[@simonholyoak8869]

@Tony K I doubt it. De Valera was notoriously short-sighted. Wouldn't have been an accurate marksman. In old age he went fully blind. Besides, despite contributing to the Easter Rising, where he seems to have suffered some form of break down, Dev was no warrior. He preferred to leave the real fighting to associates like Collins’s former friend and ally, Harry Boland. Remember, De Valera vowed not to take the loyalty oath for the Free State Parliament but in the end, entered it. He turned on his former IRA comrades by introducing military courts and firing squads. He was harsher to them than us Brits were following the 1916 rising. He set Collins up to take the blame for the treaty, turned Ireland into a mean spirited and stagnant theocracy and refused Churchill's offer of a united Ireland in exchange for taking part in the second world war. He was the only European leader to offer Germany condolences following the death of Hitler. A true student of his literary and philosophical hero, Machiavelli. .Michael Collins, speaking as an Englishman, was a true hero and statement. Ireland was diminished by his passing.

[@CillMhantainSean]

@@simonholyoak8869 I grew up in De Valera’s Ireland, I never had any time for him, nor did any of my neighbours.....it was long rumoured he had a hand in Collins ambush and death, but never proved of course. Ireland of the time needed a brave intelligent man like Collins to lead it, instead, we ended up with De Valera....

[@seandobson499]

Despite my name, I am English and served in the British army and only wish that there had been a lot more men on both sides like Emmet Dalton, he was a very good officer that knew his business and was a man of integrity, honour and principles and if there had been more men like him on both sides, then I am sure there would have been far less bloodshed and killing. I also hope that peace prevails in Northern Ireland, there has been more than enough killing in Ireland, north and south.

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

The irony, was that Dalton did fight for the British army in WW1 - this didn't serve him well in history, as conspiracy theorists suggested that he shot Collins...but that obviously isn't true(this more than likely would have been the irregulars\IRA), more like people trying to slur his name because of his Jackeen stance.

[@MrRugbylane]

This man won the MC at the Somme when he was 18 years old !! His principled stance and resignation was a mark of the man.

[@patrickball2493]

Dalton also served in British army during WW1 .

[@stephenwright8824]

@@patrickball2493 That's what the other commentors were saying. Even me, a so-called Plastic Paddy with his head up his arse, could tell that. Now if you're just taking the piss, fine.

[@3storiesUp]

What a wonderful man General Dalton was. RIP sir.

[@3storiesUp]

@@shredder9536 An imbecilic comment ..

[@geraldneary5758]

@@shredder9536 Troll.Must be gay.

[@jamespower2984]

Very informative and a credit to all involved, May Michael Collins Rest In Peace.

[@eamonnbehan360]

I visited this man’s final resting place.in my opinion a true gent.and a great Irish man.🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪rip sir.

[@mickmorley6481]

Amazing Interview with a very honourable man.

[@Paul5520]

Thanks for this👌🏻

[@williamsteele1296]

its great to see that we have actual testimony from people that were actually with collins when it happened one point here he was actually taken to the shankil hospital on the north side near Sundays well road

[@aidanoshea7795]

Shanakiel Hospital in Sundays Well, established for the care of British Army Veterans of World war 1

[@toomuchrespect]

It might not "have happened " had he not been there.

[@levitation25]

A thoroughly decent man living through difficult times.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

Breaks my heart at what could’ve been.

[@Damian-qu2fg]

excellent interviews!

[@adelemcg69]

oh my goodness..... what treasure this is. I'm crying at his wonderful description of the British paying tribute to Commander Collins. Ireland will never see the like of him again.

[@carywest9256]

At first I thought that this was a video about The Dalton Gang of the Old West. But my dad's side of the family claims Irish ancestry and l don't know much about Irish history. So I will watch the video!

[@geraldneary1948]

Good stuff you probably will enjoy it.

[@tommyrogers5298]

For such a small island we have a rich tapestry of culture and history, some truly incredible people have come out of this country, we have achieved amazing feats and made history, pioneered many

[@petrasant5495]

Brave Men, wonderful country.

[@ciarancummins5510]

A giant of a man. Principle, courage and intellect. The success of modern Ireland was built on his shoulders and others of his kind.

[@RobertLock1978]

Interesting vid..... thanks for uploading :))

[@lynnmulhall2122]

I am here because recently I have found out I'm actually related to the big man , how proud I am 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪☘☘

[@cpldalton5966]

Lynn Mulhall same here

[@jdouglas5657]

Me too - small world

[@billymclean4691]

I'm related to the entire human race. Wow

[@paddyt4043]

Be proud of that sure but remember Collins and Dev stood on the shoulders of giants Clarke, the Ó rahilly etc.

[@stephenmcdonnell5702]

What a great historical video 👍

[@joekilgobinet]

Thanks for this

[@Fernandwinnie]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪

[@haroldofcardboard]

fascinating man. thank you!

[@johnmurray3956]

Amazing film.... Man did my hairs stand up when he mentioned about the destroyer fleet being in line astern to salute.....Amazing.

[@christinamcilwaine350]

100 years today Rest In Peace Michael Collins 🇮🇪✊🙏💚🤍🧡

[@samuelpepys2108]

The way they virtually chucked the coffin into the grave at the end, disgraceful!

[@Martinbergin]

Emmet Dalton,one of Irelands finest.

[@joejackson9234]

I’ve watched this now quite a few times. What a great man Emmet Dalton was. A fine old gentleman, himself a decorated officer who fought with the British at the Somme. I particularly love from around 10:54 it’s very touching how the Royal navy paid tribute and when he goes on to so eloquently describe Michael Collins, the truly great man he was. It’s very moving and I have to admit bought a tear to my eye. Makes me very proud to be Irish.

[@johnkeating4221]

I am quite sure Michael Collins like Mr Dalton were men of high principles and not at all like the shallow people that followed them.

[@Dechieftian]

I very much agree

[@bernardkavanagh3528]

They didn't follow them..... like the commie scum they are the stuck their greedy heads in the trough and destroyed the legacy of brave Irish men.

[@endaflannelly7236]

Thank you

[@celticlunatic4254]

My great granddad and his son my granddad , made his deathmask, it is in Collin's barracks, in Dublin, and yes the back of his head had a faint hole in it.

[@celticlunatic4254]

It was made by ALBERT POWER ,RHA.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

Do u think there was foul play

[@peterh3233]

A faint hole? All descriptions including Dalton's here say it was quite a prominent gaping wound behind the right ear. What has been disputed is whether there was an entry wound at the forehead.

[@celticlunatic4254]

@@peterh3233 I actually don't know all the story, but my granddad said his head couldn't be lifted and only done the face and I was young, so by the time I came of age to ask him about stories he was old. My great-grandfather was the top memorialist of the republican/independents movement, their's a/a few books about him, one called " EXPRESSIONS OF NATIONHOOD IN BRONZ AND STONE" about his work, which is emence and would only use irish materials, + his circle of friends was, would you believe, willy Pearse, brother of Patrick, Kathleen fox, the famous Grace Gifford. He memorialised to sides of the civil war. My great-grandfathers blood ran emerald green, if interested his work is all over Ireland 🇮🇪 and in museums. Thanks + if I can answer any questions I will try my best.

[@celticlunatic4254]

His death mask doesn't show a hole in his forehead, the cast shows a bit of the bandage , which is pushed back a fair bit on his head, but other than that, it beats me

[@Horizon344]

No mention any where of his kid brother Charlie, who Collins' recruited as one of his assassins, and who ended up in a mad house in consequence?

[@martymartin2894]

Interesting I'm sure having to do that would be very hard on any person with a consience.

[@peterfeltham5612]

What a remarkable man.Admiration from an Englishman.

[@Minime163]

As dear I say was Winston Churchill. Unfortunately neither of our countries have leaders of their calabour anymore.

[@LandingZoneHome]

From across the pond I feel very connected with Ireland although I have never stepped foot on the Island. There is a special place in Heaven for the Hero's of the 1916 Easter Rising and the many years of struggle for Irish Freedom. Let them all Rest in Peace.

[@geraldneary1948]

Collins and dev are in heaven now great friends.

[@michealkelly4933]

@@geraldneary1948 Dev in hell for all inocent haning excutions he had held while in power . This was to cover up his killing of Micheal collins

[@johngilmore6688]

@@geraldneary1948 I'd guess you've never read the Bible, Gerald.

[@geraldneary5758]

Tanks very much.

[@ON8EI]

Nice video, from one Dalton to another. ;-)

[@peadarocolmain4850]

Hi Eugene, I've just watched this. I like to study body language and that study tells me that I don't really trust Emmet Dalton at all. He seems to be lying. He was prepared to shell the Four Courts in Dublin while Liam Mellows and Rory O'Connor and Joe McKelvey were still inside. Liam Mellows was executed by the Dublin Government for a 'crime' that was committed while he was already in prison. Liam Mellows was in the 1916 rising. That was one of the most shameful episodes in the history of Ireland. My gut tells me that there is a very good chance that Emmet Dalton knows more than he is saying about the murder of Michael Collins. He might well have fired the fatal shot. Peadar Ó

[@cpldalton5966]

From another Dalton to another Dalton to another, Indeed it was a fantastic video

[@cpldalton5966]

Peadar Ó'Colmáin why would you think that? Why would he lie about that?

[@cpldalton5966]

Peadar Ó'Colmáin also he was good friends with Collins, why would he kill him?

[@geraldneary5758]

@@peadarocolmain4850 troll.

[@francisebbecke2727]

The Irish Civil War was a party I am glad I missed. I generally admired the British Empire for spreading the benefits of Western Civilization throughout the world and especially their stand against the Nazis during WW II. I understand why the Irish and other peoples wanted to break free of them. They have a superior attitude and no one wants to be treated as a second class citizen in their own land. I suspect this had something to do with the American Revolution. Strangely, I heard that if Britain were to join the US as the 51st state it would be like the US adding on another Mississippi.

[@MarkHarrison733]

We fought the wrong enemy, as Patton admitted.

[@yamastgs8306]

1st. Great video, thank you!

[@jamesgillick5779]

Yama STGs830 great watch

[@maddyg3208]

My father's mother's family were the Crooks from which the name, Crookstown comes from. Ironically, my father is a Michael Collins fan.

[@patrickglennon6834]

blesso ?

[@robertglennon657]

God bless the big fella .

[@augustinedennis4865]

May Michael Collins rest in peace.May God in His infinite mercy forgive Michael’s murderers.,

[@KC-cf5mg]

Murders?

[@JammieJohnny1]

@@KC-cf5mg Murderers, ie the people that killed him.

[@KC-cf5mg]

It was a civil war. The person who is highly credited with shooting him received state pension. Murderers? I disagree

[@geraldneary1948]

Are you gay, troll.

[@nicholasparker8543]

It was war.

[@briansharkey7983]

What a poetic man

[@Sjm-xg3yx]

R.I.P Big Fella TAL 32 Real men

[@olliephelan]

is that a Moog playing at the end credits /?

[@johnm2558]

Most likely a Moog - it's from 'We bring the summer with us' by Horslips.

[@marks_sparks1]

Without Daltons initiative on amphibious landings in Munster, the Civil War wouldve dragged on much longer than it had. Salute general

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

Wasnt that Pady Dalys idea, apparently he is still hated in Kerry today.

[@robertcrowther8202]

What an amazing man

[@johngilmore6688]

@@antseanbheanbocht4993 Not surprising. The Irish love to hate.

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

@@johngilmore6688 And yet it is you who seems to be hating.

[@shredder9536]

Using royal navy vessels. Free State traitors

[@dominicohea5624]

An. Amazingly. Clear Account. Of. The. Entire. Disaster. He still feels the pain

[@edmundpower1250]

Why. All. The. Full. Stops?

[@johnasticot]

@@edmundpower1250 Yes. I. Want. To. Know. Too.

[@MrRugbylane]

Dalton won the Military Cross at the Battle of Ginchy in the middle of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 at the age of eighteen for crying out loud. He was a major general in the Free State Irish Army by the age of 24.

[@StockySocks]

One thing not mentioned is the accusations laid at Dalton for his part in Collins death. In the aftermath of Collins assassination Emmett faced completely unfounded allegations that he had prior knowledge of the ambush and was part of a British plot to murder Collins. Groundless accusations of course, but his prior enrollment with British Army made him fodder for the conspiracy theorists of the time. I guess tensions were high at the time and the search for a scapegoat led to Emmett. Sad that a man of complete integrity could be slandered in such a fashion.

[@geraldneary5758]

They are troll type people who attack him.

[@peterh3233]

Indeed, the army or government at the time realizing what a f&#k up the whole convoy was, the dubious situation under which they were traveling and the fact that only one person was killed on the convoy; Collins. They needed someone to blame and unfortunately Dalton was their focus.

[@commane21]

“Stalling of the industry through industrial action” …. (@26:40) Any clue what he meant by that? Was it union/labor demands that couldn’t be met?

[@chris.dalton]

I think there were a series of strikes by actors in the Abbey Theatre in the 1960s, and this probably also involved their contractual engagement with the Ardmore studios, as the two institutions were very closely aligned. But that's just an educated guess

[@faithplus1588]

Great mark of respect from the British towards Collins.

[@shredder9536]

Well the free state army was basically a British regiment armed by the British government

[@michaelburke2203]

@@shredder9536 DEV WANTED THE POWER AND GLORY ,COLLINS HAD BIGGER PLANS ,SO HOW CAN YOU CALL HIM A TRAITOR .THE RIC WERE A BIG THREAT TO THE OVERALL PROGRESS OF THE COLLINS NETWORK .AT LEAST COLLINS HAD BALLS ,UNLIKE HIS OPPONENTS.

[@madrarua599]

@Paul Simpson Free State! Still Pawns of their British Master's! Leo Varadkar even suggested Honouring the infamous Black and Tans! Shameful.

[@fergal2424]

Paul Simpson I do

[@madrarua599]

@@fergal2424 No shame!

[@robertbeard9212]

What year was this interview done?

[@chris.dalton]

Probably around 1976 or 77, I think

[@robertbeard9212]

@@chris.dalton thank you!

[@dekemason]

Year?

[@chris.dalton]

Do you mean in what year was this documentary first shown on TV?

[@jfitz1046]

Hi Chris,are you related to Emmet Dalton

[@eshaibraheem4218]

Heart-wrenching.

[@peterfranks6243]

This man later went on to create Ardmore Studios in Ireland and his daughter went to Hollywood and became a star in movie's during the 50s and 60s.

[@edmundpower1250]

Really?

[@peterfranks6243]

@@edmundpower1250 Audrey Dalton, she played Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwick's daughter in the 50s version of Titanic

[@ballygeale1]

Emmet Dalton is my hero

[@Sameoldfitup]

We have known the days....

[@tmac8892]

What year is this from? 77?

[@chris.dalton]

First broadcast in March 1978

[@osullic]

@@chris.dalton And interview was recorded when? Please put this info up top in the video description - helpful/interesting to know it.

[@chris.dalton]

@@osullic probably in the year preceding that.

[@Goodnewsglobal]

Can't believe he had to hold him up for four hours on the way back to Cork.. plenty of time to think.. perhaps later he was glad to have had that time with him one final time..

[@edwardstaunton5878]

The essence of what it should mean to be an Irishman

[@brianmolloy5985]

He was a man of courage and humility. No doubt he was a talented filmmaker as well. He had me on that boat, hearing a mournful trumpet carry over the water; British ships in line astern, Irish candles lit (not all by supporters, presumably) - everyone and everything in harmony with the sense of loss on board. An eloquent and moving tribute to his Chieftain. Cathal O' Shannon was also a talented documentary maker. Fantastic interview.

[@robsmithadventures1537]

Very intelligent and principled man. RIP

[@amandaorourke3036]

An amazing man in his own right, and how many people would recognize his name today?????

[@jeffsmith2022]

What a rotten shame the that great man Mr. Collins, was murdered by his own people, God Bless his soul...

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

He had betrayed Ireland.

[@stephenwright8824]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kw DeValera betrayed Ireland by surviving at Boland's Mill. QED.

[@chrisjohn22]

Interviewer: "A man of ability?“ ED: "A man of immense ability." You get a sense of how special the big fella was by the way Dalton responds to this.

[@peterfranks6243]

A young man full of hope for the future shot down by people afraid of his vision...Michael Collins God bless you..41 years later JFK went the same way

[@TheFearghus2]

u prick

[@rosswynne2379]

Bless

[@PROSPECTBARN]

Love his comment on Yeats. I think that is a man with a great deal of insight.

[@chris.dalton]

Yes, it was telling, wasn't it? Yeats was a family acquaintance, and Tom kettle a family friend, as were a few other influential people in the story, so you have to assume Emmet was communicating more by what he wasn't saying than by what he did say, which is also characteristic.

[@PROSPECTBARN]

@@chris.dalton I got that impression. He offered a fascinating insight to events and although he and I would have been on opposite sides, had I been around at the time, he is certainly someone deserving of genuine respect. I was particularly moved by the obvious and genuine grief at Collins death. But I was also struck by his quiet and measured account of the action. In particular the fact that Collins fell unseen by the others and his description of the unusual wound to the back of the head. " Dum Dum or ricochet" The latter being highly unlikely, An entry wound but no exit would be far more typical of a pistol round. Am I reading too much into this?

[@chris.dalton]

@@PROSPECTBARN yes, I'm afraid you are. Emmet knew both wounds from his time in the trenches. What evidence there is about that side of the events that evening do fit with this, including information about the armament of the ambushers.

[@PROSPECTBARN]

@@chris.dalton Yes he will have seen many wounds and a great deal of death. But he was obviously still in grief over that one. That was the moving bit. I am fascinated by that period of history and the lessons to be learned from it. The main one I took from that was that the Treaty delivered more than expected and that the British had not realised that the rebels' backs were to the wall at that point. They repeated that error in 1997 and continue to do it again and again. Also I found it rather sad that divisions in the Republic persisted to the extent that his funeral went unattended by the ruling party. Even McGuiness's funeral (and I draw no parallels at all between him and your relative) was attended by Foster. There were leaders on both sides in those days and some degree of mutual respect as shown on the death of Willie Redmond, the efforts to save him by men of the Ulster Division, and the actions of unionists in the immediate aftermath.

[@roryleonard7631]

"Ponderous! I'm sure he was a very intelligent man, but we didn't witness much of it in the Upper House"

[@robsmithadventures1537]

Emmet was absolutely spot on about the Seanad. It's more of a debating society with no real power.

[@teresalundy532]

God bless Michael collins

[@truthmediarebel5816]

How many Irish died in the civil war ?

[@chris.dalton]

According to the Wikipedia page on the Civil War, no thorough number has ever been worked out or generally accepted, though it does gives ranges and estimates that would see a total on both sides of around 2 or 3 thousand. But it's unlikely that anyone will ever resolve it given the time gap.

[@truthmediarebel5816]

@@chris.dalton ​ Dark side of Irish history that they don't like to talk about. 1600 soldiers got sent over from England to put down the rebellion and well received by many in Southern Ireland, tea and biscuits all the way to Dublin where they were ambushed. They sent for help and soldiers from the North came down as there were 50,000 training for the 1st WW in Belfast. Was it the fact that the help came from Belfast that the Southern Irish turned against the British or the shooting of the rebel leaders?

[@chris.dalton]

@@truthmediarebel5816 Are you referring to the period of the War of Independence, or the period of the Civil War (after the Treaty)? I'm afraid I found the sequence you mention a bit confusing to follow.

[@truthmediarebel5816]

@@chris.dalton War of Independence when the Foresters were sent to Dublin.

[@pippy3550]

What year was recorded

[@mioufie23]

that's Count Arthur Strong!

[@cpldalton5966]

He was my distant relative

[@ewancullens9633]

What a story. What a life. Ireland....as a Scot I often find myself looking at your country with envy.

[@markymark7803]

Bwahahaha look onto Ireland with envy 😂🤣 I wouldn't. Basket case run by ex IRA who now Drug Lords.

[@irishpride9867]

Never mind the other gobshit in the comments. ..... nice thing to say. 👍

[@markymark7803]

@@irishpride9867 Never mind gobshit, one day you will find your real parents 😂🤣🤣

[@irishpride9867]

@@markymark7803 Your probably still living with yours ye pleb. What age are you 11 ??? Marky Mark.😂😂😂

[@markymark7803]

@@irishpride9867 I can tell by your reply you're not very bright. I guess that's the problem when ya parents are brother and sister 😂🤣🤣

[@user-xh5su6mo5l]

Canyou believe this.😮

[@ElzevereBlock]

21 people didn't like this? Why on earth not?

[@irishoutlaw1]

Great Documentary. What do people want? Car chases and explosions.....!

[@bernardkavanagh3528]

They're probably from the new communist uni-party of FF FG Labour & the shinners. Total traitors to Ireland.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

@@bernardkavanagh3528 🎤 drop or could be Brits.

[@KINGKONG-jc7xh]

😥😥😥

[@eoinmaguire6691]

The first man 2 take the war against the Brits using gurrella warfare tactics b4 the civil war obviously, My great uncle fought with Collins till the very end he died aged 94 in 1989 I was aged 12 when he died but I loved the stories he told me it was those few stories that got me so interested in my Irish history RIP, But he brought alot 2 his grave like most of those great men, A little known fact that Che Guevara read up on the big fella and took alot of his ideas i.e gurrella warfare.. I feel very proud 2 have my great uncles name ingraved on the plaque around Michael Collins grave.. A man that should never be 4gotten in the history of our great country RIP🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@raisat4892]

Hi Eoin. You should definitely document and publish the stories he told you.

[@eoinmaguire6691]

@@raisat4892 I never thought of that and also nearly every Irishman has very similar stories.. But thank you means alot👍🇮🇪

[@eoinmaguire6691]

@@raisat4892 Hi Raisa, I might of done it's yrs back but that's all they are is stories from a brilliant man no question but he burnt all of his paperwork/documents?? He threw all his medals in a river all because of how Dev threw Michael Collins under a bus sending him over 10 Dowing st and even said "Get the best offer you can get, And as I'm sure you know Dev wasn't happy with what he got.. There was also alot of stuff he wouldn't go in to just the stories that made him happy.. But as I said an awfull lot of that generation who fought on either side took alot of stuff 2 the grave.. I was only 14 15 at the time he died but I loved going over to his house then he moved to an old folks home near by and I went up with my Mother at least 4 times a week and have him at home on a Sunday I was fascinated with him instded on always walking my Mam to the lift and to the door a pure Gent untill his passing.. Uve got me going on a big story now sorry but thank you 4 Ur comments👍🇮🇪

[@rambojp73]

Should not have had to come to that!😔 🍀🇮🇪🍀

[@hirepgym6913]

RIP Mick

[@Ned-ke3ui]

Michael Collins is a hero for the ages DeValera and McQuaid ruined our fledgling country Mick Collins RIP

[@geraldneary5758]

Dev and McQuaid still make you small, small man.