Film maker Marcus Howard puts focus on The Big Fellow

LOCAL film maker Marcus Howard is working on a new documentary series about Michael Collins which sees him interviewing relatives of The Big Fellow.

Marcus, who teaches at O’Fiaich College, has already made films on Eamon de Valera, Harry Boland, Countess Markiewicz, Dan Breen and Patrick Pearse as well as telling the story of the Louth Volunteers in the documentary ‘Dundalk 1916 Rises’, all of which can be viewed for free on the Youtube channel Easter Rising Stories.

As a member of both the 1916 Louth Volunteers relatives group and the National 1916 Committee, Marcus has a huge interest in the history of that period. He co-authored the very popular ‘Louth Volunteers 1916’ book with Alan Bogan and Padraic Agnew.

For this film on Collins, he has being interviewing descendants of Collins’ brothers and sisters, as well as authorities such as historian Joe Connell, whose new book ‘Michael Collins- Dublin 1916-22’ has just been published, former Irish Press editor, Tim Pat Coogan who wrote what’s widely regarded as the definite biography of Collins, and volunteers who look after Collins grave in Glasnevin Cemetery.

He decided to make the film in order to give a rounded portrayal of Collins as many people base their views of him from the film starring Liam Neeson.

Having met some members of the extended Collins family while lecturing in London, Marcus has been conducting interviews with those who have fascinating stories to share about one of the most charismatic figures in the history of Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century.

The first part, entitled ‘Michael Collins 1890 to 1917’ looks at those who influenced him, London, the 1916 Rising and his thoughts on it, his time in Frongoch, and how he began to emerge as a great leader. The other films in the series will cover the periods of the War of Independence and Civil War.

Marcus recently conducted a public interview with the author and historian Joe Connell in Dublin and has met with various relatives of Collins, whose have personal story to share.

‘It’s important to preserve lost,’ he says. all these stories before they are

Marcus Howard (right) who has made a film on Michael Collins with Pol O Murchu a relative of Michael Collins, who features in the film and insight left, author Joe Connell.