Enda Dowling
Independent.ie
12 July 2013



Buttons found on Michael Collins on the day he died.

BRASS buttons found in Michael Collins's pocket on the day he died are to be sold at auction among a collection of Irish-themed curiosities.

The buttons, which are expected to fetch between €1,500 and €2,000, come with a signed note to General Eoin O'Duffy from Michael Collins's sister, Margaret Collins Powell.

The note reads: "Please send me a receipt for the enclosed, found in Michael's tunic pocket, August 22, 1922."

This was the day of the assassination of Collins in Beal na Blath, Co Cork.

It comes as part of a large collection of items which belonged to the former IRA Chief of Staff O'Duffy, including the last truce that O'Duffy negotiated with the Anti-Treaty side in 1922 and other personal items. However, all of O'Duffy's belongings in the collection nearly found their way to the dump, as the current owner of his estate lives in Norway and didn't originally realise their significance.

The auction, entitled 'A Gathering of Things Irish Sale' is on July 23 at the Clyde Court Hotel, Ballsbridge at 10.30am.