This is what went through the letterbox of the voters in Munster in 1999. It is unusual as it tell you nothing about the candidate, despite the fact that Ferris wasn’t a TD yet.
Martin Ferris polled 6.5% of the vote.
Martin Ferris- Sinn Fein- 1999 Euro Elections Munster January 21, 2010
Killian Forde -Sinn Fein- Donaghmede 2004 LE January 9, 2010
Killian Forde from the 2004 LE in Donaghmede where he topped the poll and got in on the first count. He was re-elected in 2009 although his vote fell.
Leaflet from Mary Lou McDonald -Sinn Fein -Euro 2004 January 5, 2010
From the 2004 European Elections, a leaflet from Sinn Fein candidate Mary Lou McDonald, where she won a seat in Dublin.
Martin Christie -Sinn Fein -2004 LE Mulhuddart December 27, 2009
Martin Christie was elected in the 2004 Local Elctions for Mulhuddart. However he later resigned his seats under controversial circumstances.
Benny (Benedict) McElwee -Sinn Fein- 1982 Stormont Elections December 21, 2009
This Poster was sent in by a kind reader , who writes …..
It is about as early as you will find from modern day Sinn Féin. It’s from one of the initiatives I think it’s 1982 but it’s definitely the Jim Prior organised one for a Stormont Assembley/Forum which SF fought on an abstenion policy. I think the SDLP ended up the same too.
The candidate is Benny (Benedict) Mcelwee from Bellaghy, the brother of Hunger Striker, Thomas and cousin of Francis Hughes. Second on the paper is Danny Morrison of Ballot box and Armalite fame.
It was for the mid-ulster constituency and this one was the South Derry version. Up until this election, most full on Republicans had stood on a H-Blocks ticket and for the short lived Irish Independence Party so it’s as early a PSF poster as you’ll find.
Ironic indeed the ‘Smash Stormont’ legend at the top, I think the DUP ran with ‘Smash Sinn Féin’ in the same campaign.
Anne Speed -Sinn Fein 1989 European Elections- Dublin December 14, 2009
Sinn Fein Candidate Anne Speed from the 1989 European Elections in Dublin where she polled 11,582 votes (2.58%), down from the 14,604 (5.17%) achieved by John Noonan in 1984.
Sinn Fein are still anti EC in 1989. “Sinn Fein is the only party standing in this election saying that there is an alternative to the EC…”
Also “Please transfer your preferences to other anti-EC candidates” Presumably this meant to Ray Crotty.
Arthur Morgan – Sinn Fein – Louth 1989 December 3, 2009
The 1989 General Election and Fish Merchant Arthur Morgan stands for Sinn Fein in Louth. Amongst the issues were the Rod Licence (a number of Independent candidates stood in the 1989 General Election on the Rod Licence issue) and Environmental issues. Louth, because of its proximity to Sellafield, was an area where there was continued suspicion of the health impact of Sellafield.
Saving the counties Hospitals were an issue also. Arthur failed to win a seat.
Christy Burke with Gerry Adams – 1997 Dublin Central November 11, 2009
‘Give me your support by voting Christy Burke number 1 on polling day’ writes Gerry Adams. Adams was incredibly popular at the time.
The leaflet also illustrates the role Christy Burke played in Sinn Fein at the time. Amongst other things it mentions that he stood in the 1996 Forum elections.
Kevin Fitzpatrick- Sinn Fein Dun Laoghaire -1989 November 6, 2009
Kevin Fitzpatrick who fought a number of elections for Sinn Fein in Dun Laoghaire in the 80s and early 90s. He was involved with the Concerned Parents Against Drugs and the Premier daries in Monkstown refered to is long gone.
‘Women in An Ireland Of Equals’- Sinn Fein 2002 GE November 1, 2009
Sinn Fein show off all their female candidates sitting and standing happily with a smiling Gerry Adams. The Back of the leaflet covers issues such as equal pay, childcare etc..
Sinn Fein -‘Empowering Communities against Drugs’ October 29, 2009
Not sure exactly when this was produced but propably around 2002. Its one of the most practical and relevant leaflets I’ve found, especially compared with other stuff such as spoting fixture giudes you get from politicians and parties.
Liam MacElhinney – Sinn Fein Letterkenny 1985 October 21, 2009
In 1985, the troubles and their impact were still very much part of life.
Compare Liam MacElinneys profile here which is in effect his CV as a Republican volunteer to the Sinn Fein of today and its very different.
It is of course of its time. At roughly the same time in Dublin, candidates were emphasising their work in the community as well as giving a brief mention to their Republican CV.
‘Section 31’ gets a mention. Also prominent is the fact that Sinn Fein Councillors “.. play a full and active part in the work of their councils…” a nod to let the public know that they took their council seats ?, especially given that Gerry Adams had been elected an MP two years previous and continued the party policy of abstentionism from Westminister.
John Noonan- Sinn Fein 1984 European elections Dublin October 8, 2009
This is unusual in that at the time Sinn Fein were Anti EEC. It details the reasons why Ireland should withdraw. It was only 11 years since we had joined. Some of the images are big, I’ve tried to pare them down whilst still making them readable.
Sinn Fein Cork 1995-“Peace Through British Withdrawal” leaflet. September 26, 2009
Pamphlet advertising a meeting in Cork in 1995. “Peace Through British Withdrawal”. Indicates Sinn Fein policy of the time , “Central to the resolution…. they will have to withdraw from our country….”
Aengus O Snodaigh -Sinn Fein – Dublin South East 1987 GE September 25, 2009
A boyish Aengus in his first General election outing in 1987. This Leaflet has the Sinn Fein Policies at the back and also included the standard 1987 Sinn Fein Literature with a profile of Aengus.
Ogra Sinn Fein -‘Give Youth a Chance’ Leaflet
An Ogra Sinn Fein Leaflet from probably around the early 90s, maybe late 80s. Reference to AnCO and having no TDs (1997 was when they won the seat in Cavan Monaghan).
Jim Ferry (Eddie Fullerton replacement)- Sinn Fein Buncrana 1991 September 19, 2009
This is poignant in that Jim Ferry replaced the Late Eddie Fullerton on the Sinn Fein ticket as Eddie Fullerton was murdered during the campaign. Jim Ferry himself passed away only recently.
The leaflet had the standard Sinn Fein 91 manifesto in the middle with a profile of Jim Ferry on the front and a message regarding Eddie Fullerton on the back.
Also another leaflet with reference to policy and that Ferry had been requested to run by the Fullerton family.
Sinn Fein Recruitment Leaflet circa 1995 September 10, 2009
The 1994 IRA Ceasefire (which lasted 17 months) after a while saw the launch of a new recruitment drive by Sinn Fein.
This leaflet is from that period where Sinn Fein saw the first of the ‘Peace Dividend’ in the Local Elections of 1995.
Irish Election Literature 
Recent Comments