From the 2007 General Election in Dublin South West a flyer from the then Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte with the catchy headline “This Constituency needs a Senior Government Minister”.
The flyer continues that “Pat Rabbitte can be that Senior Minister” and the standard “No Seat is Safe”.
Pat Rabbitte was elected….. he didn’t become a “Senior Government Minister”.
“This Constituency needs a Senior Government Minister” -Pat Rabbitte -2007 GE Dublin SW August 15, 2010
“You Live in this Area- Vote for this Area” -Noel O’Flynn Fianna Fail -2002 GE Cork North Central August 14, 2010
From the 2002 General Election a leaflet for Cork North Central Fianna Fail TD Noel O’Flynn. O’Flynn seemingly under pressure for the seat issued this leaflet highlighting his connections with the local area.
He duly topped the poll.
Many thanks to the sender
Mary Robinson Poster from the 1990 Presidential campaign. August 13, 2010
A poster from the 1990 Presidential campaign of Mary Robinson.
I’ve a leaflet from her campaign posted here.

Regina Doherty -Fine Gael -Meath East 2007 GE
From the 2007 General Election a leaflet fro Fine Gael candidate Regina Doherty running in Meath East. She polled well but missed out on a seat.
Like a lot of Fine Gael leaflets from 2007 there was little or nothing about the candidate themselves.
“The Straight Vote is Simple, Fair, Democratic” -Fianna Fail Poster from the 1968 Referendum on the change of voting system August 12, 2010
Almost topical given the current debate on political and electoral reform. From the 1968 Referendum on Change in Voting System, which was defeated, a Fianna Fail poster in favour of the measure.
“The Straight Vote is Simple, Fair, Democratic” said the Fianna Fail Poster. The Labour Party Posters against the measure was “The Straight Vote in Crooked”
Fianna Fail proposed changing the voting system to that similar to the UK
The Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1968, proposes
To substitute for the present system of voting at Dáil elections the “straight vote” system in single-member constituencies;
“To establish a Commission to determine constituencies, subject to the right of the Dáil to amend the constituencies as so determined; and
To provide that whenever the Dáil is dissolved the outgoing Ceann Comhairle may be returned, without a contest, as a second deputy for a constituency chosen by him which consists of, or includes a part of, the constituency he represented before the dissolution.”
….a chance of winning a Noel Dempsey Schoolbag?
A while back Michael Lowry had a competition to win tickets to the Oxygen festival.
Was on the Youth Zone of Minister Noel Dempseys Website and came upon this opportunity to win a ‘school pack‘
If you feel we are missing something on our website, please feel free to write into us with ideas. Also if you have stories to tell the Minister write in … and you could be in with a chance of winning a school pack.
Here are the details below:
Department of Transport
44 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
So would Noel be opening childrens stories and suggestions for his website himself in the Department of Transport?
And what a prize too. Its hard to tell from the picture, I wonder if there is a Noel Dempsey picture or Fianna Fail logo on the schoolbag?
Also what mysteries could be inside? a Noel Dempsey pencil case?
Sylvia Hermon -Independent Unionist -North Down 2010 UK Election
From the 2010 UK Election a leaflet for Independent candidate Sylvia Hermon running in North Down.She was easily elected.
Having been first elected in 2001 as an Ulster Unionist Party candidate, she quit the party in 2010 in protest at the UUP’s alliance with the Conservative Party. She is the widow of Sir Jack Hermon, former Chief Constable of the RUC.
Bohs crisis meeting … a brilliant ‘Downfall’ Parody August 11, 2010
Totally away from the usual stuff posted but I thought this was brilliant.
The Bohs Crisis meeting following a 3-0 defeat to 10 men Shamrock Rovers.
‘The Strength Of Sinn Fein’ – 1934 Ard Fheis Presidential Address by Rev. Michael O’Flanagan August 10, 2010
Many many thanks to the donor.
From the 1934 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis an wonderful pamphlet of an address by Father Michael O’Flanaghan to the Party.
We get a 1934 perspective on Sinn Fein since its foundation in 1917. Goes through various topics including the first split in 1922 and the second split in 1926.
“The most important task of any organisation is to preserve the purity of its principles.” says O’Flanaghan.
A summary of Father Michael O’Flanagans life can be read here.
‘Sick of hearing about Irelands problems?’ -Pat Crimmins -Fine Gael -2009 LE Donaghmede
From the 2009 Local Elections a leaflet for successful Fine Gael candidate Pat Crimmins running in Donaghmede.
Little or nothing about the candidate (which from looking at some 2009 and 2007 Fine Gael material is less than unusual) other than a photo.
It does concentrate on waste, unemployment and job creation. Nothing in it about the Banking crisis.

A Bertie Ahern leaflet from the 1985 Local Elections. August 9, 2010
From The 1985 Local Elections a leaflet for Bertie Ahern. He was elected and in 1986 served as Lord Mayor of Dublin.
The Full Time Constituency office would not have been St Lukes which was bought in 1987.
Aside from all his various interests and positions held his advice clinics are listed.

Trócaire Lenten Campaign Posters
Slighty away from the normal topics, a selection of Trócaire posters from various of their campaigns. A number of Trócaire’s targeted campaigns are represented here.
When I got these (many thanks to the sender) I remembered the Trócaire Boxes of my youth, where now its my children that have them each lent. I’d love to get some older posters or indeed older images of Trócaire boxes as they were very much part of us growing up.
“The Birmingham Six , Remember Them This Christmas” -Christmas Card issued by The Birmingham Six Committee mid 80s August 8, 2010
From the mid eighties a Christmas Card issued by The Birmingham Six Committee. “The Birmingham Six , Remember Them This Christmas” . It asked the recipient to light six candles in the window on Christmas Day to show your belief in the innocence of Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerard Hunter, Richard McIlkenny, William Power and John Walker.
It also asked the recipients to write to Douglas Hurd, Peter Barry, TDs , MP and other bodies.
The Birmingham Six were wrongly convicted of the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975. After a long campaign they were released in 1991.
Many thanks to the Sender.

Progressive Democrats Contract with the Commuter Belt -2007 GE August 7, 2010
from the 2007 General Election a leaflet ‘A Fair deal for Commuters’ issued by the Progressive Democrats.

Discussion Paper on Forestry from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis August 6, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis a discussion paper on Forestry. In the mid 80s Forestry was seen as a long term jobs provider. Trees grew faster in Ireland than in Scandinavia and also grew on bad land.
Ivor Callely 2009 Newsletter includes a section “How to cope through Difficulties’ August 5, 2010
From the 2009 local elections Ivor Callelys newsletter. Its a promo for himself and his son Ronan Callely who was running for Dublin City Council in the Clontarf ward. Callely junior wasn’t elected.
The contents of the newsletter , given recent revelations, is somewhat ironic.
“There are many individuals and families that need help now” writes Ivor before continuing “I want to send a clear message, no one is alone in their personal difficulties, help and support is out there.”
On Savings and Investments Ivor suggests ‘you seek professional advice before you make any decision.’ Difficulties with Mortgages are also covered.
There is a section on ‘HOW TO COPE THROUGH DIFFICULTIES‘
There are tips from Callely junior on ‘Looking for a job‘, There is also mentions of “Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)”
the final call is one for Ivor to organise ‘House Meetings‘, ‘The impact of the current difficulties is real and the answer to our difficulties is not beyond our reach.’
Newsletter in pdf
Brian Fitzgerald -Independent -Meath East 2007 August 4, 2010
From the 2007 General Election in Meath East a leaflet from Independent candidate Brian Fitzgerald. He failed to get elected.
A former Labour Party TD for Meath, Fitzgerald was probably the most high profile departure from Labour in protest at the merger with Democratic Left.

Fidelma Healy Eames, Sean Kyne, Padraic McCormack -Fine Gael -2007 GE Galway West
From the 2007 General Election a flyer for Fine Gael candidates Fidelma Healy Eames, Sean Kyne and Padraic McCormack running in Galway West.
Despite hopes of a second seat, Padraig McCormack was the only Fine Gael candidate Elected.

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