Given the proximity of LIsbon 2, I figured I’d post stuff from previous European Referendums (or is it Referendi?).
Heres Enda asking us to Vote YES to Nice….
As you can see its roughly the same arguements for each European Referendum…
Fine Gael 1987 – ‘Guaranteed Irish Jobs’ Leaflet.
Election 87 after five years in Government Fine Gael play on the highly popular (and important) slogan of
the time ‘Guaranteed Irish’. They had inherited a country in bits and some of the text such as “You’ve worked hard- don’t throw it all away” gives an idea of the sacrifices the public (or the PAYE sector) were making. Mind you there was still an awful long way to go….
We have the front page, the middle pages which are “What Fine Gael have done” and “What Fine Gael will do”
Amongst what they had done was… “Started the first ever reform of the Public Service”,”The Anglo-Irish Agreement”,
“Biggest road building programme ever” and so on.
Amongst what they would do was “Build regional sports centres”. Also with regard to creating jobs- “get fares down further and increase tourism”. There were no low budget airlines back then. The low budget was the supabus to London, which many had taken but not come back.
1987 was also the Progressive Democrats first General Election.
Richard Bruton 1992 – ‘A Fresh Start’ and Letter to constituents.
This is a Richard Bruton Leaflet and a letter to constituents from the 1992 General Election.
In the Middle part of the first leaflet we see ‘reforming Fas’, tax benefits on third level fees and so on. Would the job creation ideas of 17 years ago work again?
‘Futureline’ -Young FG magazine July 1992 September 14, 2009
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
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.
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.
Litir Um Thoghchan – ‘as gaeilge’ September 12, 2009
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
Barnes, Barrett, Cosgrave -Fine Gael -Dun Laoghaire November 1982 September 10, 2009
Monica Barnes, Sean Barrett and Liam Cosgrave running for Fine Gael in the November 1982 General Election in Dun Laoghaire. All three were elected as Fine Gael took 3 seats, Barry Desmond a seat for Labour and David Andrews a seat for Fianna Fail.
The candidates pictures haven’t changed since Feb either, indeed some candidates used the same pictures for the three elections that were in quick succession.That Barnes, Barrett, Cosgrave ticket ran for five successive elections for Fine Gael in Dun Laoghaire. They all stood in the 1981 General election too, but Aine Elliot was also on the ticket.
Click on the images to enlarge.
‘He puts the Nation First’ -Fine Gael – Dun Laoghaire February 1982
From the second of the three elections held within 18 months a Fine Gael leaflet from Dun Laoghaire. The candidates were Monica Barnes, Liam Cosgrave and Sean Barrett.
‘He puts the Nation First’ was the slogan for that Election. In part a dig at Haughey.
The reasons surrounding the budget defeat are listed and Fine Gaels plans also.
‘Garret’ was also now on first name terms with the electorate. Since then…’Charlie’ ,’Bertie’ and not too many more.
Garrets message could apply almost word for word today.
Liam Cosgrave and Sean Barrett were both elected.
Click on images to see full size
The Alice Glenn Report May 1986- ‘A Woman voting for Divorce is like a Turkey voting for Christmas’
‘A Woman voting for Divorce is like a Turkey voting for Christmas’ says Alice
We’ve moved on a bit since Alice, but this gives an idea of attitudes in the mid 80’s. Alice wasn’t a crackpot either as these views were fairly mainstream. She was a Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central at the time.
Well worth a read.
Irish Shipping Workers- NO! to Fine Gael and Labour Candidates -1987 General Election. September 9, 2009
This is from the 1987 General Election Campaign where Irish Shipping Workers were asking people to Vote against Fine Gael and Labour Candidates
The closure of Irish Shipping was( and still is) the cause of much controversy. The Workers were treated with incredible contempt and having worked on ships myself with some of the ex-workers the feeling of unjustness lives on.
John Kelly – Fine Gael – Dublin South -1987 General Election
From the 1987 General Election in Dublin South, Fine Gael candidate the late John Kelly. John Kelly served as a Minister and was also known for his wit and oratorial skills. First elected in 1973, he retained his seat in 1987, however this was his last election campaign and he retired in 1989.
Irish Election Literature 
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