Irish Election Literature

… what you maybe meant to keep…

Euro 2004- Seamus Kirk mock GAA Programme. September 15, 2009


6th of June 2004 outside Croke Park… Westmeath are playing Dublin and Kildare play Wexford. Seamus Kirk and his team give out mock programmes. The Kildare and Westmeath lineups are listed as well as a message from Seamus in the middle, with a play on a slogan used by the Bank Of Ireland in its GAA themed ads.

Seamus uses the leaflet to copy an article from the Sunday Independent which tells the reader of his political career, his triumph over adversity and his GAA pedigree both on and off the field. You would do well to have something more tailored to your potential audience.

It’s very clever too as it covers a team from both matches and may well be looked at for the afternoon. Given that Westmeath beat Dublin that day (on their way to their first ever Leinster title), it may well have been held on to by a few Westmeath fans. Sport is theme used by many politicians to try to get the voter interested. (more on that another day).

You may also notice that the leaflet is printed by BCR press. (On the List of TDs expenses at   http://thestory.ie/2009/08/31/donation-to-tds-1997-2008/    BCR  contribute over €10,000 to Fianna Fail Meath TDs  Noel Dempsey and Johnny Brady).

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Niall Blaney – Independent Fianna Fail -2002 GE September 14, 2009


After Neil T. Blaney’s brother, Harry Blaneys defeat in the 1996 by-Election, Independent Fianna Fail easily won back the seat the following year with Harry Blaney again as candidate.

Harry retired in 2002 and it was his son Niall Blaney who successfully stood for  Independent Fianna Fail.  The third generation of Blaneys to be elected to the Dail.

After negotiations, Independent Fianna Fail rejoined the Fianna Fail mothership in 2006.  So this would be some of the last General Election literature produced by the party. The party literature I have always uses orange as the background.  (I’ve more that I will post in due course)

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Neil T. Blaney -Independent Fianna Fail – 1989 European Elections.


Neil Blaney was originally elected as a Fianna Fail TD in 1948 (a by-election caused by the death of his Father Neal Blaney). After a successful Ministerial career, he was sacked from cabinet over what led to the ‘Arms Trial’. It wasn’t though until 1972 that he was  expelled from Fianna Fail  for ‘conduct unbecoming’.

Neil Blaney then set about the foundation of the Independent Fianna Fail organisation in Donegal. He was returned 8 times to the Dail and twice to the European Parliment. After his Death in 1995 the subsequent by-election was won not by his Brother Harry, but by Cecilia Keaveney, daughter of former Independent Fianna Fail TD Paddy Keaveney….

These are from the 1989 Euro Elections. I have three different leaflets with the same picture but different slogans. The back of each leaflet was different and where you will get an idea of the policies and the experience of the man. His ‘Record’ reads like a historical document of the 50s, 60s,70s and 80s.

In an age where most politicians were members of GAA clubs, Blaney continued the tradition of soccer in Donegal as he had a spell as President of the FAI.  You will also see the ‘Troops Out’ heading, Blaney was unashamedly Republican.

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Fianna Fail 1991 Buncrana (Paddy Keaveney ,Hugh Conaghan, Joseph Doherty, Denis McGonagle, John Henry McLaughlin)


The Fianna Fail Ticket from the 1991 Local Elections in the Buncrana Area.
Aside from Joseph Doherty, Denis McGonagle and John Henry McLaughlin we have amongst others ex Fianna Fail TD Hugh Conaghan and former Independent Fianna Fail TD Paddy Keaveney (the only non Blaney to have sat in Dail Eireann for the Independent Fianna Fail organisation).  The Late Paddy was father of current Senator and ex TD Cecilia Keaveney.

Click on images to make them larger

 

Fianna Fail – ‘The Best Deal on Tax’, ‘The Best Deal on Social Welfare’ 1992


Two Leaflets from the 1992 General Election.  Taxes were still very high.  By referencing the introduction of Free Travel, Free fuel etc they were showing that they were on the side of the ordinary person. A far cry from their image today.

The price of drink was important back then. Fianna Fail had only put 1p on the pint in five years whilst the Coalition had put 11p on the pint!

 

Democratic Left – No to Maastricht … but Yes to Amsterdam (when they were in Government)


For the Maastricht Treaty the Democratic Left were dead set against it ……..    They were in the Rainbow government for the Amsterdam Treaty and sure it was a great Treaty altogether.

 

Dickie Rock, Packie Bonnar, Barney McKenna, Mother Theresa, Kevin Moran and Carboard Cutouts – John Stafford Euro 1994


If it was celebrity endorsements you were after then this is the leaflet for you.

“John Stafford has done a lot of work for the people of Dublin already. I cannot think of anyone else that I would prefer to represent me in Europe. That is why I am giving John Stafford my number 1 on June 9th. I urge you to do the same.”Says Dickie Rock

Whilst Barney McKenna (of the Dubliners) says “As a real Dub I am supporting John Stafford. He will look after The Town I love so well”

Also pictured though are a host of celebrities John met during his time as Lord Mayor. Is that Linda Martin on the front page?
We certainly have John meeting Dickie Rock. John having his picture taken with Paul Harrington and Charle McGettigan of Eurovision fame. John having a chinwag with Packie Bonnar. Is John attempting a sly thumbs up sign with Paul McGrath?

Then there is John smiling with Kevin Moran and John selling fruit on Moore Street. We have John posing with Sean Haughey as they pull each others chains.
Last but not least we have Mother Theresa who was lucky enough to be greeted by John ……. and of course John with the cardboard cutouts of himself.

Aside from all the pictures, John is a great Family man and thats why hes against the Residential Property Tax……

*John, Despite his connections wasn’t elected.

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‘Futureline’ -Young FG magazine July 1992


Futureline, the Young Fine Gael magazine in 1992. Young Fine Gael are delighted with themselves at the Yes vote for Maastricht and the fact that they campaigned during the exam season. Also contains a report of a questions and answers session with John Bruton. in Maynooth .

Interesting to note that  the event was chaired by (The now Sunday Independent Jouralist ) John Drennan the chairperson of the Young Fine Gael, Maynooth College branch.

Some lovely images too of the Summer Bar-B-Que on the back page with Brian Hayes amongst others looking as if hes enjoying himself.  Others pictured include Stephen Rea, Colm Brophy,Karen Bailey, Tim Wray and John Mullins,Wonder are many of them still involved?
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

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Alan Shatter ‘TIME’ magazine 2009 September 13, 2009


From 2009 a leaflet from Alan Shatter. As usual with Shatter there’s an eye catching theme that makes it look like something else. He has done ones in the style of Star Trek and X-Factor amongst other things previously.

Mind you €50 to celebrate 25 years of representing Dublin South is a bit steep.

 

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Nuala Fennell -Fine Gael -1987 General Election Dublin South


From the 1987 General Election in Dublin South, a flyer for Fine Gael candidate, the late Nuala Fennell
She was very helpful and encouraging in my early years collecting.
Some of her achievements are listed below.

 

Leaflet from Brain O’Shea- Labour Party Waterford 1987 General Election


Brian O’Shea of the Labour Party from Waterford 1987 .

He wants to “Legalise Local Radio”, we only had the State stations legally broadcasting at that time.
He had plenty of other aspirations there, that have yet to be done.

Click on Images to make them larger

 

Fianna Fail 1992 -‘Hard Labour’ leaflet.


A pre election Attack by an Albert led Fianna Fail on future coalition partners Labour.  They attacked Labour a lot during that campaign… they must have seen the ‘Spring Tide’ coming.

 

Noel Whelan -Fianna Fail 1997 Dublin South East September 12, 2009


A young fresh faced, tight haired Noel Whelan as he runs for Fianna Fail in 1997.  The now Irish Times columnist and political commentator  failed in his attempt to win a seat in Dublin South East.

Will his then running mate be back running there again I wonder…

Another Larger more detailed Leaflet here

 

Litir Um Thoghchan – ‘as gaeilge’


Despite it being an official Language, you dont find too many Parties using our native tongue.  (Although I do see some FF Lisbon posters in Irish).  I’m not even sure we have ‘Litir Um Thoghchan’ too often anymore either.

Heres some rare enough examples that I have….  Pól Ó Foighil agus Fiachra Ó Céilleachair

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John Gormley 1997- “A leader for our times”


At this stage from the policies the Greens had moved to a more practical viewpoint.  The 1997 election is also when Gormley first won a Dail seat.

What I love about this though is that it includes gushing quotes from the media , “A leader for our times” is good but the best in hindsight has to be  “Gormley has been credited with much of the Greens success” ….. and maybe their demise?

 

Pearse Wyse Letter to constituents announcing his retirement in 1992 September 11, 2009


A Letter from the late Pearse Wyse announcing his retirement to the electorate.

Pearse Wyse was one of the first Fianna Fail TDs to join the Progressive Democrats.

 

‘Knocklyon School’ – Ann Ormonde and Tom Kitt Leaflets from the 1997 General Election


This is just a simple illustration of how everyone claims to be the best person to get the job done.
From the 1997 General Election, both Fianna Fail candidates Tom Kitt and Ann Ormonde claim that they are the ones to get the school built.

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PEOPLE AND PLANET BEFORE PROFIT?


In recent weeks there has been much ado in certain circles about a new disgruntled ex Greens/People Before Profit Alliance.

But what would they call it?

….. was this 2002 Wicklow leaflet of the SWPs Catherine Kennedy a trial run?

“People and Planet Before Profit” anyone?

 

*Catherine stood for Sinn Fein in the 2009 Bray Town Council elections.