The Films of Father Michael Collins

Father Michael Collins used his passion for film-making to tell local stories

Father Michael Collins has a passion for capturing parish life on film which is mirrored in his love of photography, and his book of archive photographs, Travellers in Time and Eternity was published in 2013.

He made 35 films in his lifetime covering a wide range of themes such as mental health, travelling theatre, and portraits of his home town, Derry. For some of his films, he partnered with Terence McDonald (1926 – 2001) a teacher, film historian, film collector and a pioneering amateur filmmaker from Derry.

Born in 1936 Fr Michael Collins was ordained in Rome in 1960 and went on to spend fifty years working in the Diocese of Derry. He could be often heard on BBC Radio Ulster’s Thought for the Day programme, contributing over 100 pieces.

This collection is only part of Fr Collin's amazing work. You can also view our collection of Terence McDonald films here