From the 1994 European Elections, Labour candidate Bernie Malone. Bernie Malone , a Malahide based councillor was co-opted to replace sitting MEP Barry Desmond in 1992. She was chosen as the Labour candidate at the selection convention only for Orla Guerin to be added to the ticket. Bernie Malone wasn’t happy and the two candidates developed a ‘rivralry’.
In the end it was Bernie Malone who won a seat.
From 1992 Progressive Democrat Michael McDowell bids to regain his seat, won in 1987, lost in 1989, in Dublin South East. Its polling day and this is has arrived overnight. It’s a practice that isn’t as prevalent as it used to be.
Over his career Michael McDowell never held his seat for more than one Dail term. (Michael McDowell at electionsireland.org)
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.
From the 1991 Local Elections, Fine Gael candidates for the Pembroke Ward, the late Joe Doyle and William Egan.
Joe Doyle was elected. Note how in the ‘interest of the environment’ they weren’t using any posters which was unusual at the time (and indeed still is).
Joe Doyle, a former Sacristan, had two terms in the Dail, from November 1982 until 1987 and again from 1989 to 1992. He was also elected to the Seanad for two terms.
From the 1985 local elections for the new Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council. A Fine Gael newsletter ‘Dun Laoghaire Report’ which focuses on issues of the time in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. There are short profiles of the Fine Gael Ballybrack candidates Donal Marren, Barbara Culleton, Jim Ansboro and Steve Nalty.
Issues mentioned in the Newsletter included a proposed Planetarium on the old Pavilion site, a new third level college for Dun Laoghaire, housing grants, Dalkey Library and a proposed swimming pool in Loughlinstown Leisure centre
Clicking on the images will make them larger.
From the 1997 General Election in Dublin South, Socialist Party candidate Lisa Maher who got 624 votes. In the 2004 Local elections Lisa Maher missed out on a seat by 84 votes.
She was prominent in the Federation of Dublin Anti Water Charges Campaigns and in this election she stood as part of the Taxation Justice Alliance which included the Socialist Party as well as some other candidates such as Owen Poole.
From the 1992 General Election in Dublin Central. A letter from Bertie Ahern to constituents. ‘Dear Friend’ it begins with…..
Amongst other things, Bertie writes that he has “one simple aim in life as a public representative: to work with the community of Dublin-Central in improving the quality of life for as many constituents as possible.”
From the 1992 General election in Dublin South, Fine Gael candidate Maurice Manning. Maurice Manning was originally elected as a TD for Dublin North East in February 1982 and held the seat until 1987. Having been elected to the Senate in 1989 this 1992 campaign was his last attempt at winning a Dail seat. He wasn’t elected and served in the Seanad until 2002.
From the 1994 European Elections in Dublin, Progressive Democrat candidate Stephen O’Byrnes. He failed to win a seat.
O’Byrnes also stood in 1992 in Dublin North East without success. He was better known as a driving force in the background of the party.
From the 2004 Local Elections Fine Gael candidate Joe MacEnri running in the Lucan LEA. He wasn’t elected.
Messages include Lucan being under represented on the council, schools, youth facilities and Adamamstown.
From the 1999 local Elections in Rathmines, former UCD Students Union President Loughlin Deegan running for Fianna Fail. Loughlin Deegan polled 588 votes.
The generic Fianna Fail leaflet that went through the doors at election time throughout the country for the 2007 General Election. Here we have Brian Lenihan and Gerry Lynam running for Fianna Fail in Dublin West. Little or no detail about the candidates. A letter from Bertie Ahern telling us about the Next Steps.
The now Minister of Finance Brian Lenihan topped the poll and was elected on the first count.
‘Now, the NEXT STEPS….’ one of the Fianna Fail Slogans from the 2007 General Election. The picture of a laughing Bertie with the delighted young couple.
Although more than likely actors, if not, you can’t help wonder did they buy that overpriced apartment on the 100% mortgage, did they have a lavish wedding? indeed were they married? have they had a baby since? how have their circumstances job wise changes in the few years since they were laughing at Bertie?
They surely wouldn’t be laughing with Bertie now.
We didn’t know that the next steps were into an economic and social nightmare….
A Crime Survey from Dun Laoghaire Progressive Democrat TD, Helen Keogh in 1996.
Crime is one of the political constants, being seen to be tough on Crime or tougher than the others.
So here we have a survey asking about Crime and then asking the constituent to send it back to the TD. Needless to say I’d assume that people who had been victims of crime would be more inclined to return the survey. So hey presto the TD can say “In a survey of constituents I did 50% had been robbed…. etc etc”
It was in 1997 that Fianna Fail ran with its Zero Tolerance policy.
From the 1985 local Elections in the Pembroke Ward, Independent Community Candidate Carmencita Hederman. The picture is of her going over the ‘new’ East Link bridge.
Carmencita Hederman was first elected to the council in 1974 and served until 1999. She was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1987–88 during the Dublin Millennium celebrations. In 1989 she was elected to the Seanad for the University of Dublin Seat and served one term.
The Leaflet below gives an outline of her activities and career.
The picture on the bottom of the leaflet is of a building at the bottom of Eglington road (opposite Donnybrook Rugby ground). There was controversy when the building was built and given planning permission. This was then added to by the fact that once built the building could not find a tenant for a long period of time.
Her daughter Wendy Hederman was elected to the council for the Progressive Democrats in 2004.
From the 2007 General Election in Dublin South, Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan. It has a little profile of himself. A list of his achievements over the previous five years, which include being ‘Magill TD of the year 2007’, the creation of ‘No Logo Day’ and a Green Energy Fair in Lepardstown Racecourse.
Then on the reverse “Vote Eamon Ryan No. 1 so that in Government he can …..”
‘Provide better, more affordable housing’ , ‘Invest in faster, safer and cleaner public transport’ , ‘Support parents with young children’, ‘Deliver a proper health care system’ and ‘Develop a new Green economy’.
Another from the Alan Shatter stable of imaginative/ corny leaflets. This time from the 2007 General election campaign. The jacket slung over the shoulder and the silhouette of it in reverse on the back…..
The pink almost takes away from the serious issues he mentions.
From the 1999 local elections, Fianna Fail candidate Chris Andrews running in the Pembroke Ward. Chris Andrews was elected, his running mate Liz Donnelly lost out.
He lost his seat in 2004, before being co-opted in 2006 and then winning a Dail seat in Dublin South East in 2007.
Chris Andrews is son of Niall Andrews, grandson of Todd Andrews, nephew of David Andrews and of course a cousin of amongst others Dun Laoghaire TD Barry Andrews and RTEs Ryan Tubridy.
Again for a Dublin South East based candidate the background for the photo is the Pidgeon house. Amongst the issues covered here are the needs for Taxi deregulation and more recycling and better waste management.
Irish Election Literature 
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