Exclusive:Huge monument marking life of Michael Collins appears in Sheffield cemetery - next to brother Willy's
He was “one of a kind”
A colossal, 30-tonne black marble monument marking the life of a man described as a “legend” has appeared in Shiregreen Cemetery.
Standing at nine-and-a-half feet tall, the lavish memorial to Michael Collins features two life-like statues of him, along with a marble pint of Guinness, a pint glass bearing the initials “MC” and embossed depictions of a can of Diet Coke and a bottle of Budweiser.
A giant sculpture of a watch sitting atop a chair is positioned next to one of the sculptures of Michael, with the other depicting him sitting peacefully on a marble bench.
Also included is a marble jukebox bearing the words “Legend Michael Collins” - alongside two Irish flags and a CD in a case, featuring a photograph of Michael at its centre.
The jukebox is a working one, with songs selected via Bluetooth.
A flatbed truck, etched in marble, is amongst the other adornments included within the extravagant structure.
Michael passed away at the age of 51 in December 2024, but his enormous headstone, surrounding sculptures and bench has only been erected this month (September 2026).
It is located across from a similarly-sized and styled white marble tribute to Michael’s brother Willy, dubbed “the King of Sheffield,” who died in 2020.
Paying tribute to Michael, one of his loved-ones told The Star: ”He was a loving father, uncle brother husband and son and grandfather.
“His brother was Willy Collins and is buried across from him.
“He lived in Sheffield throughout most of his life being part of the Sheffield Collins traveller family, he was known as the true blue of Sheffield and one of a kind.”
The marble bench, on which one of the sculptures of Michael is positioned, features a picture of the four Collins brothers who have passed away, above the caption “Sheffield Collins Brothers”.
Terry Collins died aged 52 in September 2024, while Anthony, the fourth Collins brother to pass, was laid to rest in 2002 after suffering fatal stab wounds in an incident at the Afro Caribbean Club on Spital Hill.
The gargantuan memorial to Willy attracted headlines around the world after it was first erected at Shiregreen Cemetery in March 2022.
The memorial features two life-size statues of Willy, depictions of biblical scenes, a jukebox playing his favourite songs and coloured LED lighting.
It reportedly cost £200,000 and has divided opinion, with some people admiring the spectacle and others branding it an eyesore.
Willy’s family is embroiled in a row with Sheffield City Council over his grave.
A permit for his memorial was granted but when it was installed it differed from the structure that had been approved.