In the 1969 General Election, the then President of USI Ciaran McKeown ran in Dublin South West as an Independent. This episode covers McKeown in College, USI, the election, the aftermath and his life afterwards
In 1953 William Lawless was selected at the Fianna Fáil Convention to contest the WIcklow By-Election. However He wasn’t ratified by Party HQ and Paudge Brennan who came second in the Convention was chosen as the Party Candidate. Lawless ran as an Independent under the banner of The “Fianna Fáil Convention Choice” Candidate. Locally much of the Party supported him.
Initially The Fine Gael Dublin City Group, in 1963 they met and hosted Young Unionists in Dublin and Belfast, by doing so they recognised The Constitution of Northern Ireland. For taking that position they were rebuked by The Fine Gael Leadership and subsequently resigned en masse from the Party. They continued as the Dublin City Group. In the 1965 General Election Jim Deegan stood as an Independent backed by The Dublin City Group. He also stood in the 1970 Dublin South County By-Election.
A regular on ballot papers in the 1980’s, William Abbey Of The Holy Cross Fitzsimons contested multiple elections, standing often in multiple constituencies, always without success.
Founded in early 1967, Clann Na Saoirse were a Republican, Anti Common Market Party that contested the 1967 Cork Borough By-Election. They only lasted until late 1968 or early 1969.
Founded in 1961 and led by Sean D. Loftus (later Dublin Bay Loftus), The Christian Democrat Party of Ireland advocated a Small State and Socially conservative teachings. They contested a number of General Elections before disbanding in the early 1980’s.
I’ve created a website for the podcast too, should you wish to listen to other episodes etc..
The Cork Unemployed Association/ Cork Unemployed Party ran from the early 1930’s to the late 1940’s. They Contested Municipal Elections and a General Election. This episode briefly covers attitudes to Unemployment at the time as well as a little history of benefits available to the Unemployed.
Founded for the 1930 Municipal Elections in Dublin, The Greater Dublin Constitutional Group were a Cumann na nGaedheal aligned group that were the biggest Party on Dublin Corporation between 1930 and 1933.
Voice of Wicklow were a split in Fine Gael in Wicklow caused by Shane Ross being added to the ticket in the 1991 Local Elections. (Previously Released)
The Motor Insurance Justice Action Group fought for the rights of young drivers crippled with exorbitant costs for Car Insurance. In the 2002 General Election they nominated David Green to run in Dublin Mid West.
The National Democratic Party and Land League were founded in 1923 to appeal to small farmers and leaseholders. It contested the 1923 General Election and disbanded shortly afterwards.
Founded in 2001 , The Derry based Socialist Environmental Alliance was associated with the SWP and contested a number of elections before dissolving in 2008 with much of the membership joining People Before Profit.
The Independents Health Alliance stood eight candidates in the 2002 General Election. Among them Finian McGrath who was elected. Others included the now Fine Gael Councillor Molly Buckley in Laois Offaly and former Limerick Hurling manager Tom Ryan.
Founded by Noel O’Gara, The Planning Reform Party stood in 4 constituencies in the 2007 General Election and also in the 2009 Dublin South By-Election. The Party objected to the planning system.
The United Citizens Party contested the 1930 Local Elections in Dun Laoghaire. This episode takes a look at them and also at the Cumann na nGaedheal attitude to contesting Local Elections as well as Fine Gaels attitude to contesting them.
The Women’s Social and Progressive League was a women’s organisation founded in Ireland in 1937 by Hanna Sheehy Skeffington. It was committed to opposing the 1937 constitution of Ireland and any regressive consequences it would entail; the organisation opposed articles 40, 41, and 45 concerning the status of women. In the 1943 General Election Hanna Sheehy Skeffington stood as an Independent backed by The Women’s Social and Progressive League.
One of the smallest registered parties, The Letterkenny Residents Party were founded in 2008, contested the Letterkenny Town ouncil Elections in 2009 and the Letterkenny/Milford area in the 2014 Local Elections. Tom Crossan was elected to Letterkenny Town Council in 2009.
Growing from the Anti Water Charges movement in the mid 90’s, The Taxation Justice Alliance included The Socialist Party, Seamus Healy, Paddy Mulcahy and Owen Poole and contested the 1997 General Election. Aside from being anti Service Charges, it wanted a fairer tax system for PAYE workers, changes to allowances and the wealthy to be taxed more.
Irish Election Literature 
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