A letter Michael Collins wrote after the signing of theAnglo-Irish Treaty is expected to fetch more than €8,000 at an auction in Dublin today.
Buyers from across the world are expected to bid for the letter, which isdescribed as one of the most important pieces of correspondence from thelegendary republican leader.
Collins sent the three-page document to prominent Derry republican Louis J.Walsh in 1922, telling him about his opposition to the Northern Ireland border.
Replying to a letter from Walsh, Collins outlined his position regarding talks with Winston Churchill and unionist leader James Craig.
Mr Collins told Mr Walsh that he was "no lover of partition, no matter what form itappears", and that any form of partition was "distasteful" to him.
He expressed his belief that ties would increase between leaders in the north and south, leading to a united Ireland in the long term.
Mr Collins also said he hoped that one day a multi-denominational party might beformed in the northeast, developing links with the Free State and destabilisingthe northern administration.
Auction cataloguer Peter Sheen said the document was very important since political letters from Collins were few and far between.
"All that survived is his love letters and a few brief snippets, but there is very little in terms of political correspondence".
The document will be sold at Adams Auctioneers in St Stephen's Green from 3 p.m.
PA