By EchoLive.ie John O鈥檚hea
Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will deliver this year鈥檚 address at the Michael Collins Commemoration at the monument in B茅al na Bl谩th on Sunday, August 24, at 3pm.
The Michael Collins Commemoration is an annual event which takes place at B茅al na Bl谩th, near the village of Crookstown, to honour the memory of General Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader who was shot at the location on August 22, 1922, at the age of 31.
More than a century after his death, many people continue to visit the Michael Collins monument at B茅al na Bl谩th to pay tribute.
Each year, a commemoration is held at the site of his death on the Sunday closest to August 22.
Looking forward to speaking at the Michael Collins Commemoration this August, Ms Carroll MacNeill said: 鈥淚t is an extraordinary honour to have been asked by the Michael Collins Commemoration Committee to speak at this year鈥檚 B茅al na Bl谩th commemoration.
鈥淭his significant event allows us to remember and honour the legacy of Michael Collins, whose vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to our country and its people continue to inspire us all.鈥
Ms Carroll MacNeill added: 鈥淗is legacy of leadership and dedication to public service is something I see as I visit our healthcare community around the country and their unwavering dedication to caring for people.
鈥淚 am really looking forward to speaking at the commemoration and reflecting on Collins鈥檚 legacy and values.鈥
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, chairperson and Fine Gael senator Garret Kelleher said: 鈥淲e are delighted that Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has accepted our invitation to deliver the oration at this year鈥檚 Michael Collins commemoration, which will take place in B茅al na Bl谩th on Sunday, August 24, at 3pm.
鈥淢inister Carroll MacNeill has proven herself to be an exceptionally capable and competent minister in her roles as minister for state for European affairs, minister for state in the Department of Finance, and more recently as minister for health following her elevation to Cabinet in January,鈥 he added.
鈥淪he has a deep understanding of Irish history, and we very much look forward to hearing what she will have to say in August.鈥
The address in 2024 was delivered by then taoiseach Simon Harris, who became only the third serving taoiseach to speak at the annual commemoration event.
The address in 2023 was delivered by former RT脡 northern editor, the late Tommie Gorman, while both then taoiseach Miche谩l Martin and t谩naiste Leo Varadkar addressed crowds the previous year for the centenary commemoration.