Michael Collins’ blackthorn stick and letters going under the hammer in Kilkenny

A variety of authentic Michael Collins memorabilia is set to go under the hammer at an auction in Kilkenny later this month.

Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers in Castlecomer are hosting ‘The Christmas Rare Books & Collectors Sale’ next Tuesday (December 6).

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‘The Big Fella’s Shillelagh’ (Lot 577) is one of the items up for auction with an estimated price of €5,000-€7,000.

It comes with a note telling how the stick once belonged to Collins and it was handed down to his niece, who then gifted it to Dr John Nesfield, who later returned it to the Collins family.

Also up for auction is the Big Fella's pocket seal (Lot 586), with engraved letters M.C (in reverse).

Collins was always in a hurry, and this item may have been carried by him to seal official documents.

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There are also numerous lots with letters written by Collins, from his years in London as a young clerk, through to the revolutionary era, his time as Finance Minister, up to the contentious Treaty negotiations.

To view all the lots in detail, visit 'fonsiemealy.ie'.