From the 2009 Local Elections in Galway West, the Fine Gael candidates Hildegarde Naughton and John Mulholland.
Despite both polling well, it was longstanding councillor John Mulholland who lost his seat to party colleague Hildegarde Naughton.
Hildegarde Naughton, John Mulholland -Fine Gael- 2009 Local Elections Galway West April 30, 2010
Young Fine Gael – Futureline -Autumn 1992 -includes Condom articles and John Bruton interview April 29, 2010
I’m not sure if this is a supplement to the October 1992 edition of Futureline or if it was an edition produced by itself (and I’m missing the cover?). Futureline was (is?) a Young Fine Gael Magazine.
The main focus of this is an interview with John Bruton. We also have amongst other things an editorial from a Young Brian Hayes (The New National Youth and Education Officer), items on condoms and stuff on the Rio summit.
The items on condoms by Colm Brophy and John Armstrong are especially interesting and give an insight into the time.
If you cant see the full image click on it (I’ll have to start doing pdf files for some of these soon)
Garret Fitzgerald Letter urging a vote for Mary Banotti- 1989 European Elections
From the 1989 European Elections campaign a letter from Garret Fitzgerald asking voters to vote for Mary Banotti. He also, in what looks like an afterthought asks for a vote for Chris O’Malley (O’Malley had been co-opted as an MEP in 1986 to replace Richie Ryan who had taken a role with the European Court of Auditors).
Mary Banotti had been elected an MEP in 1984, according to the letter she was fluent in French and Italian. Banotti was another former RTE person who had entered politics. She was too Fine Gael blue blood in that Michael Collins was her Grand Uncle. She was also sister of Nora Owen.
Garret Fitzgerald had resigned as leader of Fine Gael two years previously, I think this letter was to constituents in Dublin South East.
In the 1989 European Elections,Mary Banotti held her seat and Chris O’Malley lost his.
Tom Honan -Fine Gael -Wicklow 1997 General Election April 28, 2010
From the 1997 General Election, Fine Gael candidate Tom Honan running in Wicklow. The Arklow based Solicitor had previously stood in the 1995 by-election caused by the death of Johnny Fox, which was won by Mildred Fox.
He polled just over 2000 votes here in 1997 and failed to win a seat.
He is pictured with the Fine Gael ministers Ivan Yates, Nora Owen, Enda Kenny and Richard Bruton.
Leo Varadkar invite to ‘Evening with Enda’ 2006 April 26, 2010
From March 2006 , A Leo Varadkar leaflet advertising both his forthcoming candidacy at the General Election and an ‘Evening with Enda’. It has a good bio of the candidate.
Christopher Douglas -Fine Gael -1999 LE Drogheda East April 25, 2010
From the 1999 Local Elections, Fine Gael candidate Christopher Douglas running in Drogheda East. Christopher Douglas got 415 votes and wasn’t elected.
Denis Naughten -Fine Gael -1997 General Election Longford-Roscommon April 22, 2010
From the 1997 General Election the then 24 year old Senator Denis Naughten running for Fine Gael in Longford-Roscommon. He was comfortably elected , as he has been since.
Denis Naughten is son of the Late Liam Naughten, the former Fine Gael Roscommon TD.
Many thanks to Liam Byrne.
George Jones, Godfrey Timmins -Fine Gael -1989 General Election Wicklow April 15, 2010
From the 1989 General Election in Wicklow, Fine Gael candidates George Jones and Godfrey Timmins (Father of current Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins). Godfrey Timmins was elected. He had lost his seat in the 1987 election having held it since 1968. He retired at the 1997 Election.
Having previously contested the 1981 General Election, George Jones failed to win a seat in 1989 despite getting a decent 4,333 votes. He fell out with Fine Gael and contested the 1991 Local Elections as an Independent before rejoining the party and has stayed there since. He was relected in 2009 to Wicklow County Council.
1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis -Discussion Paper on Public Service (Public Sector Reform) April 12, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis, held in Cork, a Discussion Paper on ‘Public Service’. It looks like an attempt at what is now a buzzword 25 years later, Public Sector reform.
The paper was divided into three main areas
-The development and management of the public service.
-Public service employment
-Public service pay
Included are measures to reduce public service numbers by 5000 by 1987, some items on how the public service
deal with new technology,Staff development, a unit to design forms, promotion, Appointment schemes, Staff Exchanges and performance Appraisals.
It would be interesting to see what has been carried out.
Mary Muldoon, Alan Shatter -Fine Gael -1991 Local Elections Rathfarnham April 10, 2010
Fine Gael candidates Alan Shatter and Mary Muldoon from the 1991 local Elections in the Rathfarnham LEA. Both Alan Shatter and Mary Muldoon were elected.
Traffic and Knocklyon School were amongst the issues mentioned. Anyone familiar with the area will remember the issues with Traffic especially later on when the M50 ended at Tallaght.
Discussion Paper on Dail Reform from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis. April 8, 2010
A Discussion Paper on Dail Reform from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
It is sparse enough in detail, but still indicates how the Dail has changed in the last 25 years.
Things like being Televised, Private Members Bills, The Oireachtas Committee system being established and so on.
Discussion paper on Energy from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis April 6, 2010
A discussion paper on Energy from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis .
Not the most riveting of material but interesting nonetheless.
Part of it is taken up with the then flowing new Natural Gas from Kinsale. A few memories are jogged in the fact that the UK government rejected plans to ‘supply Northern Ireland.
Details are also given regarding the level and nature of oil/gas exploration of our coast.
There is no mention of giving it all away for free.
Brian Tector -Fine Gael- 2004 LE Terenure Rathfarnham April 5, 2010
From the 2004 Local Elections, A letter from Fine Gael candidate Brian Tector showing that he understands the issues.
Despite polling a very healthy 1,603 votes, Brian Tector failed to win a seat.
Patrick O’Donovan -Fine Gael -Newcastlewest 2009 LE April 4, 2010
From the 2009 Local Elections in Newcastlewest, Fine Gael candidate Patrick O’Donovan. The youthful O’Donovan was co-opted onto the council in 2003, held his seat in 2004 and was re-elected again in 2009.
He is pictured on the reverse in various places around the town in the same jumper. Unusually there is a spot for an address and stamp so does he intend the recipient to use it as a postcard (or did he intend posting them and had them hand delivered instead?).
Damien English -Fine Gael -2002 General Election Meath April 3, 2010
From the 2002 General Election, Fine Gael candidate Damien English running in Meath. Damien English was elected, unseating party colleague John V Farrelly in the process. Damien English was returned again in 2007 for the new Meath West constituency.
Booklet for Attendees at 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Cork. April 1, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis held in Cork. Which was located in Cork to complement the Cork 800 celebrations.
This is the booklet delegates were sent prior to the event (or indeed at the event). I also have a copy of the pack on Motions and policies debated at the Ard Fheis but it is rather large.
In 1985 Fine Gael were in Government.
Some lovely things here. The Neptune Stadium is ‘at most a 20 minute walk’ from City Hall is a bit like all these new estates that were described on the blurb as ’20 minutes from Dublin’.
Extra Pay Phones were installed for the event. The ‘Bed Bureau for delegates’ run by the Cork Kerry Tourism Organisation almost sound dirty.
We have a map of Cork with the one way system marked by arrows and looking very confusing. The Social events included a fashion of the time a ‘Chicken supper’.
The now deceased delegate who gave me this, had ticked off the events they wanted to attend. There were then lists of the panels for election to The National Executive. With the last pages being taken up by amendments to Fine Gael Constitution and Rules.
Lorcan McMahon -Fine Gael- 2009 LE Blessington
From the 2009 Local Elections in Blessington, Fine Gael candidate Lorcan McMahon. Despite polling well Lorcan McMahon failed to get in.
Sean Kelly -Fine Gael -2009 European Elections- South (Munster) March 30, 2010
From the 2009 European elections in Munster, Fine Gael candidate, the former President of the GAA Sean Kelly. Sean Kelly polled well and was elected.
As Uachtarán of Cumann Luthchleas Gael Sean Kelly credited himself with the opening on Croke Park to Soccer and Rugby.
This leaflet is Kerry centric with testaments from Jimmy Deenihan, Tom Sheehan and Senator Paul Coughlan
Irish Election Literature 
Recent Comments