Though he was not really active in leading the Rising Michael was captured and made a prisoner of war (Michael). He was sent to the Richmond Barracks and later to Frongoch in Wales, both were high security internment camps. It was at Frongoch where Michael Collins' ability as an organizer became recognized (Magan 402). And immediately following his release, he rebuilt the IRB (Michael). He returned home to Ireland from Frongoch in December 1916. .
In 1917, he was elected to be a Sinn Fein executive (Michael). During 1917 and 1918, his activities included: creating an intelligence network, organizing a national loan to fund a rebellion, creating an assassination squad, known as "The Twelve Apostles", and creating an arms-smuggling operation (Terrorism). In 1919, Michael Collins, with the help of his friend Harry Boland, who was another IRB man, went to Lincoln gaol in England to help Eamon de Valera escape (Michael). In 1919 Collins started the IRA with some help from de Valera. The IRA with some help from its political wing Sinn Fein sought out to unite the independent country of Ireland with Northern Ireland. Collins" goal with the IRA was to reunite Ireland, which had been broken by the British, and to keep the British from having Ireland as a dominion. So both Collins and the IRA he started had the same goals in mind. De Valera was in the United States helping collect mostly money to finance the IRA but he also picked up some arms (Michael). .
The IRA has received aid from a variety of groups and countries and considerable training and arms from Libya and, at one time, the PLO. The United States is also suspected of receiving funds and arms from sympathizers (Armed Struggle). Similarities in operations suggest links to ETA (Terrorism). By 1920, Michael Collins was wanted by the British and had a price of 10,000 pounds on his head (Federation).
In the beginning of the IRA Michael Collins orchestrated the Anglo-Irish War.
