Irish Election Literature

… what you maybe meant to keep…

Tom Crilly -Workers Party -1985 LE Pembroke July 14, 2010


From the 1985 Local Elections a leaflet for Workers Party candidate Tom Crilly running in the Pembroke Ward.
Of the times, he writes
One of the reasons for the closure of many of our local industries has been Dublin Corporation decisions to rezone land from industrial use to office block accommodation. These decisions have benefited speculators but have put thousands of workers on the dole. Tom will strongly oppose the further destruction of our industries, as happened at the International Meat Company, Bolands Bakery and Irish Glass Bottle Company, and he will oppose the planned closure of Dublin Port.

then
Tom will campaign for the introduction of lead free petrol

(more…)

 

Ted Tynan Newsletter-Workers Party 2004 Local Elections July 13, 2010


A  2004 Newsletter from Workers Party candidate in Cork North Central  Ted Tynan. He  won a seat in the 2009 Locals

(more…)

 

1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for Funds July 8, 2010


First off many many thanks to the Sender for this. (and donations always welcome)
(I’m also assuming that this letter is real)
A 1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for “a grant of one million pounds (Irish) over the proposed five year development period in order to assist.. in this vital and urgent task, which we believe will be Of benefit to the world struggle for Peace, Freedom, and Socialism.
The letter is signed by Proinsias De Rossa and Sean Garland.

Amongst other things it gives a background to where the party were, their view of Ireland at the time and outlines what they would spend funds on.
There is also a mention of ‘Special Activities’.
Some of this has been detailed in The Lost Revolution.

As its hard to read in places, the text is underneath each page.

Dear Comrade,
The Executive of the Workers Party of Ireland, on the occasion of a visit to Moscow of the General Secretary, Sean Garland, and Vice-President and Chairperson Executive Political Committee, Councillor Proinsias De Rossa TD, wishes to convey its warm regards and fraternal greetings to the Central Committee and members of the C.P.S.U. and to address this important and urgent message to you.

Though it has been a relatively short time since our two parties established relations in December ’83, each year has seen more contact and understanding leading to more positive development and to a better
overall understanding of the two parties objectives strategies and tactics. In regard to the basic fundamentals, of objectives and tasks in the world today, there is we believe a common analysis and a common approach.
We know that you are quite familiar with the general situation in Ireland, just as we ourselves, keep informed as to developments in the Soviet Union and throughout the world. We would however like to briefly sketch for you the present and immediate future situation in Ireland as we see it.

In the Republic of Ireland the continuing economic Crisis is making the coalition government of Fine Gael and Labour very unstable. The parliament has only one year to run but many Observers are now predicting the possibility of a General election this November or early next spring. The government has lost the confidence of the majority of the people, of business, of the trade unions, and even of many of its members both inside and outside parliament. The Main opposition party, Fianna Fail, is expected to table a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the government

(more…)

 

Linda Kavanagh -Workers Party -1997 Dublin Central June 29, 2010


From the 1997 General Election a leaflet for Workers Party candidate the late Linda Kavanagh. Linda Kavanagh polled 509 votes. A long time Workers Party activist she stood on a number of occasions in Dail and Local Elections.

In the leaflet itself there is mention of things such as wanting the introduction of a 4.50 minumum wage, an abolition of Water Charges and also Peace.

(more…)

 

Kathleen Lynch -The Workers Party -1987 GE Cork South Central June 20, 2010


From the 1987 General Election, A leaflet for The Workers Party candidate for Cork South Central Kathleen Lynch. She failed to win a seat but polled 2,349 votes.
Elected to Cork Corporation in 1985, this was her first General Election. It wasn’t until the 1994 by-election ,running for The Democratic Left ,that she won a Dail seat.

(more…)

 

Catherine Murphy -The Workers Party -1989 General Election -Kildare June 8, 2010


From the 1989 General Election a leaflet from Workers Party candidate Catherine Murphy who was running in Kildare. She polled 1,520 votes.
On the same day she was also running in Leinster in the European Elections where she polled 7,089 votes.
Initially elected to Leixlip Town Commission in 1988, she was elected to Kildare County council in 1991 running for the Workers Party.She stood for the Democratic Left in the 1992 and 1997 General Elections before standing for Labour in the 1999 Local Elections. She resigned from Labour and stood as an Independent in the 2004 local elections and sensationally won the 2005 by-election before losing her seat in the 2007 General Election. She topped the poll in in the 2009 Local elections.
Many of the policies and issues mentioned are as relevant now as they were in 1989.

Catherine Murphys Website and Catherine Murphy at electionsireland.org

(more…)

 

Tom Crilly -Workers’ Party -1997 GE Dublin South East June 2, 2010


From the 1997 General Election a leaflet for Workers Party Candidate Tom Crilly running in Dublin South East. Tom Crilly got 694 votes.

(more…)

 

1990 Leaflet on Overcrowding in College from The Workers Party May 25, 2010


From 1990 a leaflet on Overcrowding in College produced by The Workers Party.
Presumably a lot of it is still relevant today.
Overcrowding demonstrably affects us all, regardless of place of study, and in all aspects of our student-life: lectures, libraries, catering, accommodation and safety. The greatest irony, however, is that the increased pressures placed on students by overcrowding may well lead to increased failure-rates and ultimately decreased graduate numbers!

The Workers’ Party believes education is not a luxury. It is vital for our economic growth, for a healthy political democracy and for the future well-being of our society. We are totally opposed to all cutbacks, either direct or indirect, in the education system.

(more…)

 

Eamon Gilmore -Workers Party -1987 General Election Dun Laoghaire May 15, 2010


From the 1987 General Election, the now Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore running for the Workers Party in Dun Laoghaire.
Although polling a respectable 4,054 votes he failed to get in. He did though increase from his November 1982 total and build on the winning of a Council seat in 1985. In the 1989 General Election he was elected.
The Roches Hill Compensation scandal referred to was where in 1986 the Council paid out £2.375 million in compensation for refusal of a residential development at Roches Hill in Killiney, the land had been bought for £40,000. To add insult to injury even after the compensation,the Council did not become the owner of the land.

(more…)

 

Mick Finnegan-Workers Party 2007 Dublin Mid West April 5, 2010


From the 2007 General Election, Workers Party candidate Mick (Michael) Finnegan running in Dublin Mid West where he polled 366 votes. A native of Cavan, Mick Finnegan is currently President of The Workers Party.

(more…)

 

‘Fight your corner -Dont Emigrate’ -Sinn Fein / Republican Clubs posters from the 1970s March 29, 2010


From the 1970s a selection of images of  Republican Clubs and Sinn Fein posters kindly sent to me by a donor.
An Anti EEC poster presumably from the 1973 Referendum (with the Slogan Fight your corner – Don’t Emigrate), a poster criticising The Cosgrave Government , a Republican Clubs poster and one also for the Freeing of all Political Prisoners.
This version of Sinn Fein / Republican Clubs was the precursor of Sinn Fein The Workers Party which became The Workers Party although I’m not 100% sure they all are.

(more…)

 

“End Unemployment – Nationalise the Banks..” Sinn Fein posters from the 1970s March 25, 2010


I got sent these images and many thanks to the donor. A Sinn Fein poster with The ‘People Before Profit’ Slogan.  The other posters being  ‘Join Sinn Fein for a United Socialist Ireland’ , ‘ Eire Nua- Socialist Federal Republic’ , ‘ End Unemployment – Nationalise the Banks….’
This version of Sinn Fein / Republican Clubs was the precursor of Sinn Fein The Workers Party which became The Workers Party ….

(more…)

 

Eamon Gilmore- Workers Party -1985 Local Elections -Ballybrack March 23, 2010


The now Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore running for The Workers Party in the 1985 Local Elections in the Ballybrack Ward. It was an important election for Gilmore as he won a seat which was a major breakthrough for The Workers Party and himself.

(more…)

 

‘Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland’ leaflet -Support Sean Garland Campaign 2010 March 21, 2010


A ‘Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland’ leaflet given out in Galway on March 20th 2010. Argues Sean Garlands case as well as a piece by The Rev Chris Hudson praising Sean Garland.
Other supporters of The Support Sean Garland Campaign mentioned included Cllr Mannix Flynn and Cllr Eamon Tuffy.
(many thanks to the donor)

(more…)

 

Mick Crowley -Workers Party -2004 LE Cork North West


From the 2004 Local Elections for Cork City Council in the Cork North West Ward, Workers Party candidate Mick Crowley.
Mick Crowley polled 358 votes.

(more…)

 

International Bulletin of Workers Party Youth -Summer 1991 March 7, 2010


From Summer 1991 the ‘International Bulletin of Workers Party Youth’.
The Introduction notes that this was the first issue and that they were looking for a new name for the Bulletin. I don’t know the outcome of that.
There are articles on Palestine/ The Middle East. ‘The New World Order’, Nicaragua since the fall of the Sandinistas, El Salvador, EU Sanctions on the then apartheid South Africa, Cambodia and The Phillipines.
It might bring back a few memories ofthe international issues of the day.

(more…)

 

John Dunne – The Workers Party -1997 Dublin North West February 23, 2010


From the 1997 General Election in Dublin North West,The Workers Party candidate John Dunne.
Issues covered in the leaflet include a wish for the LUAS to service Dublin North West, a strategy for Jobs that may be of use today, a novel Bus users charter as well as plenty of problems the Celtic tiger failed to fully address.

(more…)

 

Tomás MacGiolla -‘Dublin People’ -Workers Party Paper- 1994 European Elections. February 4, 2010


The Late Tomás MacGiolla from the 1994 European Elections. Although not winning a seat, he polled respectably.
This is a freesheet given out during the campaign. It highlights The Workers Party policy on the EU.  From the paper you can see how proud Tomás MacGiolla was to have been Lord Mayor of Dublin . The issues of the day both European and domestic are shown too. The real isssue though was jobs….

Click on an image to enlarge it.


(more…)