Sean Doherty and Mark Killilea from the 1989 Euro Elections. Killilea was elected. Doherty will always be associated with the phone tapping scandal and later on that interview on Nighthawks’ that led in part to Haugheys downfall…. and yes I did pick the second leaflet off the ground.
Ben Briscoe-Fianna Fail 1997- “No Posters” September 28, 2009
Ben Briscoe was elected in 1997, despite according to this letter , not putting up posters on lamposts.
Gerry Brady, Mairead Byrne,Tim Cotter with Letter form Charlie McCreevey- Fianna Fail Celbridge LEA 1991
Charlie McCreevy sends a letter looking for support for the FF candidates in the area, Mairead Byrne,Tim Cotter and former TD Gerry Brady (husband of Aine Brady TD)
A flyer from Gerry Brady looking for the Toilets in Maynooth to be replaced (Weren’t they just knocked down in the end?) and saying there’d be no Road Tolls in Kildare.
Anti Traveller Leaflet from Tony Kelly -Fianna Fail – 1999 Local Elections- Dundrum September 27, 2009
‘Outspoken’ on the issue of Halting sites, Tony Kelly was elected in these 1999 local Elections for Fianna Fail in Dundrwum polling 1,108 votes. He lost his seat in 2004 and failed again in 2009.
Olive Braiden -Fianna Fail -Euro 94 Dublin September 25, 2009
Olive Braiden was a surprise choice to many as one of Fianna Fails 3 candidates in Dublin 1994. Widely known for her work with the Rape Crisis Centre she failed in her attempt for election.
The candidate is pictured with amongst others Maire Geoghan Quinn.
Fianna Fail Euro 94
The Fianna Fail manifestos for each Constituency in the 1994 European Elections. Amongst the Candidates, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Mark Killilea, Gerry Collins, Brian Crowley and Olive Braiden.
Fianna Fail- Dublin Central 1992 – Bertie Ahern, Olga Bennett, Dermot Fitzpatrick September 24, 2009
1992 Dublin Central, with redrawn boundaries, the constituency is reduced to 4 seats and of the 3 sitting Fianna Fail TDs, John Stafford moves to Dublin North Central (where he lost out). Bertie romps home but neither of his running mates are elected despite Fianna Fail
having almost two quotas.
A number of Flyers wuith profiles of the candidates , ‘Bertie Gets the job done’, whilst Olga Bennett was ‘born into a Fianna Fail family’,whilst Dermot Fitzpatrick was ‘born ,reared and lives in the constituency’.
Tom Leonard – Fianna Fail -1983 Dublin Central By-Election
The by election was caused by the death of George Colley. After much insistence by Bertie , former TD Tom Leonard, was selected as the Fianna Fail candidate. He duly won the seat. In the Message from Fainna Fail Leader Charles Haugheys he appears to take full credit for the Gregory deal as if he did it off his own bat. The By-Election was Fine Gael candidate and future MEP Mary Bannottis first electoral outing.

Tony Kett -Fianna Fail -1991 and 1985 Local Elections
The Late Tony Kett from the 1991 and 1985 local elections. Kett was an integral part of the ‘Drumcondra Mafia’ and of course served in the Seanad. The Leaflet from Bertie is interesting in that it outlines their friendship also doesn’t give the other candidates much of a look in either.
Fianna Fail 1987- ‘The Programme for National Recovery’ -medium
A stern looking Charlie with what some people have credited as being the catalyst that led to the Celtic Tiger. This is an abridged 6 page version. (I have the full thing which I will scan st some stage). You will see what became ‘Partnership’ get a mention.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Fianna Fail 1987- “Get Things Going” – Programme for National Recovery Pamphlet
The small pamphlet version with some of the headline items from Fianna Fails “Programme for National Recovery”. “Get Things Going”. Click on main leaflet to enlarge
Tom Kitt, Seamus Brennan, Ann Ormonde -Fianna Fail – Dublin South 1987
Both Seamus Brennan and Tom Kitt were elected. Ann Ormonde failed to be elected. She was an Fianna Fail candidate four times in Dublin South, each time with no success. To cushion the blow somewhat, she has been a Senator since 1993.
Note how each candidate had separate concerns and priorities, with some in common.
Click on image to make it larger
Fianna Fail February 1982 – ‘Nail the Lies’ leaflet September 23, 2009
A Nail the Lies leaflet from the Fianna Fail Feb 1982 campaign.Hitting out at Fine Gaels 1981 promises. Mentions the famous Vat on clothing and footwear that brought down that government.
Mention too of ‘housewives’… you wouldn’t get that today.
(click on image to make it larger)
Fianna Fail- Dun Laoghaire – Nov 1982 , David Andrews, Lady Valerie Goulding,Martin O’Donoghue and Owen Hammond
Fianna Fail Dun Laoghaire November 1982.The line up including Lady Valerie Goulding.
How often, if ever has a ‘Lady’ or ‘Lord’ run for Fianna Fail? (Henry Mountcharles ran for Fine Gael in Louth in 1992 and later as an Independent for the Seanad.)
Included too are David Andrews, Owen Hammond and the supposed author of the infamous 1977 Fianna Fail Manifesto Martin O’Donoghue. David Andrwews won a seat, O’Donoghue lost his seat at this election as Fine Gael took 3 of the five seats in Dun Laoghaire.
It was also the first electoral outing of now Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore who stood for the Workers Party.
Click on Images to make them larger.
Martin Brady- Fianna Fail -Berties commitments for Aer Lingus/ Aer Rianta 1997
Berties commitments for Aer Lingus/ Aer Rianta 1997 according to Martin Brady anyhow. Although 12 years ago, it illustates how things change and theres still no Rapid Rail link to the airport…
Michael Lynch- Fianna Fail Meath 1987 September 22, 2009
With Jim Fitzsimons staying in Europe. Colm Hilliard was the only sitting Fianna Fail TD to contest the 1987 General Election in Meath.
Hilliard, Former TD Michael Lynch and newcomers Mary Wallace and Noel Dempsey were on the Fianna Fail ticket.
Lynch topped the poll as Fianna Fail won three of the five seats with Colm Hilliard and Noel Dempsey joining him in the Dail.
In 1989 Lynch lost his seat pipped on the final count by party colleague Dempsey.
In that 1989 election on the first count just 723 votes separated the four Fianna Fail candidates.
Lynch was unlucky that the two Dail terms he served were short, one period was from February to November 1982 and the other from 1987 to 1989.
PJ Coghill, Sean Fallon, George Ledwith, Kieran Molloy, Egbert Moran, Cieran Temple -Fianna Fail- Athlone LEA 1991 September 19, 2009
From the 1991 Local Elections in Athlone. Fianna Fail candidates PJ Coghill, Sean Fallon, George Ledwith, Kieran Molloy, Egbert Moran and Cieran Temple. A strange layout of the candidates in this leaflet. Its unusual that there are no names beside the candidates pictures.I’d hazard there haven’t been too many ‘Egberts’ put before the electorate either.
Leaflet from Brian Lenihan “The People’s President” -1990 Presidential Election September 18, 2009
In 1990 Brian Lenihan was the favourite for the Presidency…… Pee Flynns championing of stay at home mothers, the “on mature recollection” statement about phone calls in 1982 and other happenings led to the loss of the Presidency for the first time ever by Fianna Fail. Mary Robinson became our first female president.
It also ended Lenihans Ministerial career as the PDs called for his head on a plate…. and Charlie duly obliged..
The Below doc has a lovely photo of Lenihan lovingly gazing at Haughey…. the man who would sack him months later. In the family photo you may spot Conor Lenihan with hair and a young Brian junior amongst others.



























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