I was commissioned by The Friends of Sligo Gaol to create a new portrait of Michael Collins in commemoration of his time imprisoned at the gaol 100 years ago. As artist in residence there I was able to spend time within the crumbling prison walls and soak up the atmosphere of the building that once housed so many prisoners, some political, some not, some with serious mental health issues, some merely children.

I researched the portrait both visually and through reading about the man, his life and his legacy. The main document that informs the final result of my work is Michael Collins diary, a day by day account of his time spent there, written in his own hand. The insight that the diary gave me was invaluable in the making of the portrait. Reading it I shared moments of utter despair and frustration with him as well as moments of pure optimism and hope. All this informed the nature of my work and I hope these qualities surface for the viewer.

On Sunday 9th September 2018, an event was held at Sligo Gaol to commemorate Michael Collins time spent there. The Friends of Sligo Gaol worked tirelessly to present an event of such high quality that I felt very proud to be a part of. Phelim Brady MBE (noted scholar of Michael Collins Sligo Gaol Diary) and Mary Clare O’Malley (grandniece of Michael Collins) were both invited to speak at the event by The Friends of Sligo Gaol and Mary Clare as the guest of honour was further asked  to reveal the portrait. Both guests gave extraordinarily insightful speeches that invited listeners to hear about a very personal side of Michael Collins rarely discussed. 

A quiet moment for Mary Clare O’Malley to view the portrait before the crowds arrived (Photography Peter Vamos 2018)

When I made the portrait I made a conscious decision to step away from the public image of Michael Collins, his military uniform or the trilby hat, crisp white shirt and tie and to depict a more personal side of him, to show the man who wrote the diary entries and in doing so allowed us take a look behind the high walls of his public persona. On being viewed for the first time the work received an enthusiastic response that surpassed my expectations. Mary Clare O’Malley describe it as being very ‘alive’ and in her speech announced that she felt ‘he could be standing behind me’. 

A proud moment with Mary Clare O’Malley, David McLoughlin of Friends of Sligo Gaol and Martin Baker Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council (Photography Peter Vamos 2018)

A print of the portrait was given to Mary Clare O’Malley by The Friends of Sligo Gaol (Photography Peter Vamos 2018)

I wish to thank The Friends of Sligo Gaol for commissioning the portrait, Creative Ireland for funding it’s creation, the staff  at Sligo Library for their assistance and Sinéad McCoole and Grainne Blair for their support in my research.

‘Even from a cell 12 by 7 a man can feel nature reclothing herself’ Michael Collins Diary, 1918 , Charcoal on Canvas, 70cm x 50cm, Emma Stroude 2018                        (Photography Peter Vamos 2018)