THE Taoiseach mixed business with pleasure when he flew to Cork yesterday to see the Irish film premiere of Michael Collins.
He did a little canvassing for a "Yes" vote in the bail referendum in Togher before changing into his black suit and bow tie to mingle with more than 900 people attending a pre film reception in City Hall.
As he waited in the Lord Mayor's rooms for the film's stars to arrive, he said he was looking forward to seeing it but was concerned about the reports of violence. "I hate violence in films - I've heard there is considerable violence in this."
Also there was the Bishop of Cork, Dr John Buckley. A keen road bowler, he added to Liam Neeson's knowledge of Michael Collins by telling him about Collins's bowling skills. "I know he played, but I don't know if he was shaping up to be a good player," said Bishop Buckley, who presented the actor with a set of miniature rosary beads.
As the politicians met the stars in the Lord Mayor's chambers, a small grey haired woman stood quietly among the waiting press in the ante room. Eventually word got around that she was Kitty Kiernan's niece, Mrs Joan Foley, who has lived in Cork for more than 40 years. "I have met some of the Collins family but I don't think they know of the connection," she said.
She was ushered into the Lord Mayor's office and introduced to the stars and to Liam Collins, one of Michael Collins's nephews. "We never talked about Michael Collins or Harry Boland or any of that in the family. But I have read her letters. They were very romantic times," she said.
The members of the Collins family who had already seen the film were pleased with it, but Liam Collins pointed out that it was not a documentary and not historically accurate in its details.
More than 900 people snapped up tickets at £75 each for the premiere in the Capitol and the reception in the City Hall beforehand, where they were treated to a buffet supper. While Cork people had more reason than many to be interested in a film about a man who was born and shot dead in the county, it was also for a good cause. The proceeds went, as requested by the Collins family, to the COPE foundation that provides education and care for handicapped people in Cork.