Granard (Longford) County Longford
Catherine Bridget 'Kitty' Kiernan was born in Granard in the County Longford in 1892 and was educated by the nuns in the Loretto Convent in the County of Wicklow. Kitty first met Michael Collins in May 1917 at her family’s Hotel, the Greville Arms in Granard. Michael initially fell for Kitty's older sister Helen, but when he learned that Helen was engaged to be married, Michael cast his eye in Kitty's direction. Kitty was already very friendly with Harry Boland, a friend of Michael's and a love triangle did develop between Micheal, Kitty and Harry.
Kitty and Michael wrote frequent letters to each other, hundreds in fact right up until his death in August 1922. Kitty and Michael did become engaged and Kitty and her sister Maud, who married Gearoid O’ Sullivan, were planning a double wedding for October 1922. It was not to be; fate had stepped in and dealt its hand at Beal Na Blath on August 22nd 1922; Kitty was left heartbroken.
Kitty went on to meet Felix Cronin, a Quartermaster General in the National Army and they were married in 1925. They had two fine sons, the second of whom they christened Michael Collins Cronin.
Kitty died on the July 24, 1945 and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery not far from where Michael lay. Felix joined her in Glasnevin some 16 years later.
