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.
Eric Byrne -‘Jobs’ -Democratic Left 1997- Dublin SC November 15, 2009
Tony Ryan _Green Alliance- 1983 Dublin Central By-Election
This was published in part here previously, but given its amongst the oldest Green material I have, I figured it was worth a post of its own.
A few things here such as the TDs annual salary being £16,400. The honeycomb graphic with all the interconnecting Green ideas. To ‘Outlaw Land Speculation’ was suggested here and its an awful pity that never happened.
Ryan got 458 votes.
Derek Connolly – Cork NE -Fine Gael 2004 LE
Derek Connolly who was unsuccessful in his 2004 (and later 2009) attempt to be elected to Cork City Council. (Many Thanks to the donor)
Orla Guerin -Labour -Dublin 1994
1994 Dublin European Elections and a mini sensation is caused by the addition of RTE Journalist Orla Guerin to the Labour Party Ticket.
The addition, supposedly at Dick Springs request, caused friction within the party and between the candidates.
The sitting MEP Bernie Malone, who had been co-opted to replace Barry Desmond, had been selected at the Selection convention was none too pleased. It was one of the most memorable campaigns for rivalry between candidates…. All sorts of rumours went around at the time.
In the end Malone held on to her seat and it was Guerin, despite polling well, who lost out.
Orla Guerin joined the BBC in 1995 and has worked there since.
Dan Boyle -Green Party-Letter to constituents 1992 November 13, 2009
From the 1992 General Election Campaign, A letter from Green candidate Dan Boyle to constituents.
Letter notes how the Green Party are different from the other politicians. ‘ A Plague on all their houses’ indeed…….
Marc McSharry -Fianna Fail- Seanad 2002
A simple front where he mentions his father (and mother), on the reverse we get the full treatment.
Ray MacSharry smiling beside his son and writing a message of endorsement to his son.
Eithne Fitzgerald- Labour- 1997 Dublin South November 12, 2009
Having fought four general elections since 1981 without success, Eithne Fitzgerald flies home with almost 30% of the vote in 1992s Spring Tide.
Shes back here in 1997 to defend her seat. She loses it and never regained it.
Noel Murphy – Communist Party of Ireland – Seanad 2002 November 11, 2009
Noel Murphy stood in a number of elections for the CPI in Cork during the 1980s. This is his literature from his Seanad campaign of 2002. It also illustrates in detail the CPIs policies. The text on the last page is small, hence It will need to be clicked on to be read.
No Cancer Services No Votes-Save Sligo Cancer Services 2009
No Cancer Services No Votes-Save Sligo Cancer Services
Simple but effective Slogan from the Campaign to keep Cancer services in Sligo.
Christy Burke with Gerry Adams – 1997 Dublin Central
‘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.
Niamh Bhreathnach- Labour -Blackrock 1985 LE
Niamh Bhreathnach in her first electoral outing in 1985. She was elected to the Dail for one term in 1992 and had a spell as Minister for Education.
Nice leaflet with running mate Kevin Cronins name stamped on.
Marian White -Workers Party 1991 LE -Blackrock
Two leaflets, the first coming after the election.
On the front Marian White thanks voters, she came within 28 votes of winning a seat in Blackrock (First Count Details Here). It illustrates the inroads made by the Workers Party at the time and the future potential.
On the reverse we have Eamon Gilmore proclaiming ‘In Dun Laoghaire The Workers Party are Winning’ detailing the vote increase and election of himself, Denis O’Callaghan, Colm Breathnach and how close Marian White came to being elected.
The Second leaflet was ‘and the last shall be first’…..
Eileen Lemass -Fianna Fail – 1989 European Elections
Eileen Lemass- Daughter in law of Sean Lemass and Sister in law of Charlie Haughey. Here she mentions the Sean Lemass connection, but not the Haughey one.
The Double jobbing reference is a bit rich considering that she had a spell from 1984 to 1987 double jobbing as both an MEP and TD.
I presume the double jobbing jibe was against Prionsias de Rossa and Mary Harney who both stood for the Dail the same day.
Eileen Lemass failed to retain her seat .
1988 National Collection for Alan Dukes led Fine Gael
After the 1987 election Alan Dukes was appointed Fine Gael Leader. On the 2nd of September that year in an address to the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce, Dukes said “When the Government is moving in the right direction, I will not oppose the central thrust of its policy….”
This became known as ‘The Tallaght Strategy’. It is refered to here “….Fine Gael will not obstruct the Government if it seriously goes about correcting our finances”.
This is the parties Fundraising/Membership drive from late 1987/ early 1988.
‘Anglo Irish’ gets a mention too, but its the Agreement rather than the Bank thats being refered to.
Martin Hogan -‘Pro Life Man’-1992 Longford-Roscommon
The 1992 General election was held on the same day as the Abortion Referenda on The Right to Life, The right to travel and The right to information.
A lot of pro life candidates stood as for the first time Fianna Fail were seen by many as no longer 100% Anti Abortion.
It was the aftermath of the ‘X Case’ and later this Referendum that led to the formation of the likes of the Christian Principles Party, The National Party,
The Christian Solidarity Party, The Christian Centreist Party and Muintir Na hEireann.
Martin Hogan Polled just 459 votes.
Owen Poole -Anti Water Charges Campaign 1997 Dublin North-East November 10, 2009
From the 1997 General Election, Anti Water Charges candidate Owen Poole running in Dublin North East.
The ‘template’ for this was also used by The Socialist Party in 1997, although as they were against the Water Charges it may have been a common template.
Poole polled 641 votes.
Don Lydon -Fianna Fail 2002 Seanad
A shocking photo of the candidate Don Lydon with Bertie Ahern and a dreadful Slogan.
Lydon was recently charged with Corruption along with 3 other Fianna Fail councillors. Tony Fox (leaflet here ) , Colm McGrath (featured in this leaflet ) and Sean Gilbride.
Trevor Sargent -Green Party -Dublin North -2002 General Election
First elected in 1992, the then Green Party Leader Trevor Sargents almost apocalyptic letter to Dublin North voters in 2002. Despite the Earth being on its last legs the inside part is positive and paints an excellent picture of Sargent. Not too many leaflets have planes,trains, boats and buses in with a picture of a red squirrel. The leaflet also illustrates the diversity of the constituency from farming to fishing, recyling to Aer Lingus and transport issues also.
The Greens have a fondness for quotes from the papers and this is no different with quotes from teh Sunday World and Foinnse amongst others.
Sargent had been the Green Partys first ever Leader for less than a year.
Irish Election Literature 
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