From the 1992 General Election in Dun Laoghaire a letter to voters from the Democratic Lefts Eamon Gilmore.
One line in particular stands out “….that substance and policy are more important than style and performance”.
Eamon Gilmore was elected, which was a decent performance considering the Spring Tide.
“..Substance and policy are more important than style and performance”- Eamon Gilmore 1992 Letter to Voters October 11, 2010
The Democratic Left Website from November 1998 September 22, 2010
After another poke around on the Wayback Machine…….. The Democratic Left website from November 1998, a few months before the merger with Labour.
There is a section on its Objectives, its ‘people’, press releases and policies.
Click HERE or on the image to enter the site.
Not all links on the site may work.
Democratic Left
‘One man and his dog’ -Eamon Gilmore -Democratic Left -1997 GE Dun Laoghaire. September 8, 2010
One of my favourite Eamon Gilmore Leaflets. This one is from the 1997 General election when the then Minister of State for the Marine was running for the Democratic Left.
The casual picture of him walking the dog on the beach (Killiney beach?) to him purposefully strolling around the new ferry terminal in Dun Laoghaire.
There is also small pictures of him doing activities such as fishing and meeting people like Neil Kinnock.
The ‘NIREX dump’ refered to was a proposed underground nuclear waste dump near Sellafield.
Eamon Gilmore Polo Necked Pose Leaflet -Democratic Left – Dun Laoghaire 1992 General Election June 21, 2010
Another Eamon Gilmore Leaflet, this time Eamon Gilmore running in the 1992 General Election for Democratic Left in Dun Laoghaire.
The Suave Polo Necked Posing Gilmore was elected.
On the reverse is the Democratic Lefts Seven Point Action Plan which included the creation of a Ministry for Women…
Canvass Card from Pat Rabbitte -Democratic Left -1994 European Elections Dublin May 26, 2010
From the 1994 European Elections a canvass card for Democratic Left candidate Pat Rabbitte running in Dublin.
Rabbitte was canvassing outside a Shamrock Rovers game in the RDS when I picked this up. As far as I know, He is a Rovers fan.
Pat Rabbitte failed to win a seat.
Eric Byrne Leaflet featuring only Voters -Democratic Left 1994 Dublin South Central By-Election May 16, 2010
A simple Leaflet produced by Eric Byrne for the 1994 Dublin South Central By-Election. A foldover card with pictures of four voters who say they are voting for Eric Byrne and Why. His loss by 5 votes in the 1992 General Election is mentioned.
Eric Byrne won the By-election beating amongst others Fianna Fails Michael Mulcahy and Fine Gaels Brian Hayes as well as serial Independent candidate Benny Cooney.
Byrnes By-Election victory along with that of Fine Gaels Michael Ring in Mayo and then later in the year the by-election victories in Cork of Catherine lynch and Hugh Coveney were what allowed the numbers to form the Rainbow Coalition.
‘Euro-Dub’ -Des Geraghty freesheet -Democratic Left Summer 1993 April 28, 2010
From the summer of 1993 a freesheet produced by Des Geraghty of Democratic Left called ‘Euro-Dub’ (not exactly the catchiest title). Geraghty , who had stood unsuccessfully in the 1984 European Elections for The Workers Party, was co-opted to replace Prionsias De Rossa as MEP in the Summer of 1992. In effect this freesheet was advertising the fact that he was now the MEP. I’m not sure what the situation was in 1994 when it was Pat Rabbitte rather than Geraghty who fought the Euro Election in Dublin for The Democratic Left.
The paper argues that Dublin was neglected, that a lot of the EU money went elsewhere in the country than Dublin. There is an attack on The Dirty Dozen
Theres an interesting article ‘Culture on the Dole’ written by ‘Joxer Daly’. I presume to illustrate that the Democratic Left were not just concerned with the peoples economic wellbeing but also with their quality of life.
The in brief mentions amongst other items, the dispute at Pat the Baker, Sellafield and a new CD ‘Step by Step’ by the Work and Play Band. There is also a further indication of culture with a competition to win the Roddy Doyle book ‘Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha’.
I have yet to perfect pdfs so you’ll need to click on the image to read the pages.
“De Rossa Delivers”- Proinsias De Rossa -Democratic Left -1997 GE Dublin North West April 4, 2010
From the 1997 General Election campaign, A leaflet from Democratic Left Leader Proinsias De Rossa running in Dublin North West. The leaflet lists the achievemenst of The Rainbow Government both nationally and locally.
Issues covered include the regeneration of Ballymun, ‘A Northside light Rail system …is planned’, ‘Control of horses act has been introduced’, ‘Local community groups… have recieved significant funding’.
Joe Holohan -Democratic Left -Dublin North by-election 1998 March 2, 2010
Joe Holohan of The Democratic Left from the Dublin North by -Election held on the 11th of March 1998.
It was the last day that The Democratic Left appeared on a ballot paper (There was a by-election in Limerick East on the same day).
Joe Holohan polled just 225 votes coming in behind amongst others the Christian Solidarity Party.(result at electionsireland.org) The vote surely helped speed along the merger with the Labour party which happened less than a year later.
Democratic Left-‘Are Students Getting Value for Money?’ February 16, 2010
A leaflet advertising a Democratic Left Public forum in Maynooth addressed by Eamon Gilmore. The topic ‘Are Students Getting Value for Money?’. I suspect that it was 1992 although I’m not certain.
The usual issues of Grants and facilities are mentioned.
Democratic Left – “Budget ’97 and how it benefits You” February 8, 2010
From 1997. The Democratic Lefts Eamon Gilmore sends out a detailed leaflet about the 1997 Budget.
It’s interesting to look the tax allowances, tax rates, mortgage interest relief of the time. Also covered are the PRSI/Levies , various Social Welfare rates, Education and Health schemes.
Pat Rabbitte -‘What does he want..?’ – Democratic Left -1994 European Elections February 4, 2010
From Democratic Left in the 1994 European Elections in Dublin…. A Question asked by many over the years about Pat Rabbitte (and many others) ‘What does he want..?’
Prionsias De Rossa had won a seat for The Workers Party in Dublin in 1989. Following the Workers Party Split, De Rossa stepped down and the Democratic Lefts Des Geraghty was co-opted and served from 1992 to 1994 as an MEP. Despite Geraghty being the outgoing MEP, Pat Rabbitte stood in 1994.
The DL were very fond of quotes from newspapers (as The Greens used to be too). Rabbitte bemoans the lack of EU money for Dublin and the amount of funds going to farmers.
Rabbitte failed to win a seat. (result at electionsireland.org)
“How many Councillors does it take to turn off The Water Tax?”-Democratic Left -1994 January 25, 2010
The Democratic Left were opposed to Water charges, Water Tax or Water Rates. They wanted to put pressure on other councillors to oppose them too.
Looking at the previous years vote thats shown, some Fine Gael and Fianna Fail voted against the charges.
The Government were seen to be bringing in these extra taxes whilst at the same time having the Tax Amnesty.
“In 1985 the Councils in Dublin, following the election of councillors such as The Democratic Lefts Eamon Gilmore…….” took a bit of phrasing considering Gilmore was elected for The Workers Party.
Liz McManus -Democratic Left- Wicklow-1997 GE January 13, 2010
Liz McManus, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, from the 1997 General Election in Wicklow. The Democratic Left produced leaflets in this style for each candidate, all pictured walking purposefully, often by the sea. Here Liz walks on Bray seafront.
It has praising quotes about the candidate from newspapers . The achievements both in Wicklow and Nationally of The Rainbow government are listed. Amongst them ‘Tour De France 1998 for Wicklow’
Anthony Creevey- Democratic Left -1997 Dublin North East January 1, 2010
1997 and The Democratic Left literature was very well produced with lots of colour. On the front a candidate strode and on the reverse the candidate was at the top table.
In 2004 Anthony Creevey was elected to Naas Town Council when running for Fianna Fail.
Mike Jennings -Democratic Left -Dublin Central -1992 GE December 29, 2009
Mike Jennings who had previously stood for the Workers Party from the 1992 General Election in Dublin Central where he polled 467 votes.
Tony Wright, Fiachra O Ceilleachair- Democratic Left- Waterford 1997 November 16, 2009
Democratic Lefts Tony Wright hands over the reigns on Dungarvan UDC and Waterford County Council to Fiachra O Ceilleachair.
Both Fiachra O Ceilleachair and Tony Wright had been members of the Workers Party and Fiachra O Ceilleachair later stood for Labour.
Wright himself had been elected to Waterford Co Council in 1991.
Eric Byrne -‘Jobs’ -Democratic Left 1997- Dublin SC November 15, 2009
1997 and part of the outgoing ‘Rainbow Government’ The Democratic Left would only enter government on the basis of the biggest jobs plan ever…..
Eric Byrne was made jobless by the electorate as he lost his seat in this election.
Irish Election Literature 
Recent Comments