Unparalleled Tribute — Greatest Pageant or Sorrow — A Cortege Three Miles Long — Hundreds of Thousands Mourn

Galway Observer, 2nd October 1922

Introduction

Amid every mark of honour that his grief stricken country could show, with all the outward tokens of the anguish that assails a nation when its most illustrious and best beloved is struck down, General Michael Collins was borne to his last resting place on Monday, in Glasnevin cemetery.

The funeral procession through the street of Dublin was by far the greatest that the city has ever seen. For its tremendous length, for the enormous dimensions of the crowds through which it passed ; for its sublime solemnity and memorable impressiveness, and for its representative character, no one could recall an equal.

This tremendous outpouring of the people's inmost feelings exemplified as nothing else could the warmth of the affection, admiration, and gratitude entertained towards the departed soldier—statesman, and their determination to complete his life work.

Dense Crowds Everywhere

The number who participated in the last tribute to the dead leader ran into hundreds of thousands. Every inch of the circuitous route taken, from the Pro—Cathedral to the cemetery — approximately six miles — was densely crowded. On roofs and windows of the tall buildings, clinging to monuments, parapets, and even lamp—posts were thousands more. The cortege itself was composed of people of every class and condition in the nation, and included, too, representatives of countries abroad whose sympathy goes out to Ireland in her hour of sorrow.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the sombre pageant was the extraordinary profusion of wreaths. Lorry after lorry was laden with these most beautiful tributes, many of them of huge and rich design. Hundreds of other wreaths were carried at other points. The great procession, the length of which was estimated at quick march, took an hour and 35 minutes to pass a particular point. Seventeen bands were on the march.

Full military honours were paid at the graveside, where General Mulcahy paid an eloquent tribute to the dead Chief, who, he said, "has made himself a hero and a legend that will stand in the pages of our history with any bright page that was ever written there." It was for them to be brave as he who every day and hour of his life lived to the full "extent" of that great bravery that God gave him. General Mulcahy gave instances of the late Commander in Chief's intense devotion to duty and expressed the conviction that his death would bring forth great fruit.