An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/468511
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 ton that he included him in important missions such as the Anglo-Irish peace treaty negotiations in London in 1921. Dalton never liked the idea of Collins going to London as he knew how dearly the British had wanted to get their hands on Collins. Now 'the Big Fel- low' was emerging from the shadows and Dalton was concerned about his security, fearing that the talks would break down, giving the British an excuse to arrest the man they unsuccessfully sought for so long. Dalton's plan was to immediately fly Collins out of London if the talks failed. An aircraft was purchased for this purpose, with two Irishmen who had served in the RAF recruited as pilots. Finally, after two months of talks terms were agreed in late 1921. (In January 1922, divisions caused by the narrow majority ratification of the Treaty set the country on the path to civil war.) Within a year the Irish Free State would be established and Dalton's next big job would be as the IRA's Chief Liaison Officer, dealing with the departing British. Still a young man, he showed the maturity and tact required to oversee the evacuation of military and police barracks by the British and their take- over by Irish forces. In the split that followed the ratification of the Treaty, Dalton took the view that a decision by the majority of the people's elected representa- tives had to be respected. As Ireland drifted inexorably towards civil war, Dalton began preparing for yet another military campaign, this time against former brothers-in-arms. The Civil War broke out in June 1922 with the bombardment of anti- Treaty forces who had occupied the Four Courts in Dublin. In early August, Major General Dalton led an important seaborne offen- sive that took Cork city and county from the anti-Treaty forces - their last major stronghold. Collins came south to his home county, and against Dalton's advice they went on a tour of West Cork where the anti-Treaty IRA was still active. On 22th August 1922 their convoy was ambushed at Béal na Bláth. Collins was fatally wounded and died in the arms of a traumatised Dalton. Later that year Dalton left the army. (He stated in later years that he resigned because he had concerns about legislation authorising military courts to execute republican prisoners for certain offences.) After leaving the army he obtained the prestigious post of Clerk of the Senate but didn't hold this position for long, resigning in 1925 because of family financial difficulties. An opportunity for a new career presented itself to Dalton while play- ing golf at the Hermitage, when he met an executive from Paramount film studios who recruited him as a salesman for the company in war- time England. This interest in film eventually led to him opening the Ardmore studios in Bray, Co Wicklow, in 1958. Ardmore continues to produce films to this day and its success is a testament to the vision of this soldier, patriot, sportsman and public servant. With military-style precision, Emmett Dalton died on the day of his 80th birthday on 4th March 1978, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Emmet, the patriot after whom he was named. Major General Dalton's Military Service Pension Application from 1924. Courtesy of Military Archives Newspaper clipping from the Irish Independent dated 13 November 1925. Courtesy of Military Archives Emmet Dalton pictured with Michael Collins in 1921 Emmet Dalton amoungst others pictured taking the salute as Irish Free State soldiers march in to Portabellow Bks (now Cathal Brugha Bks) in 1922. Emmet Dalton and Michael Collins on the faithful day to Béal na Bláth