From the 1985 Local elections a letter to voters from Fine Gael candidate Muriel O Tiarnaigh. Muriel O Tiarnaigh failed to get in. I think her colleagues Michael Joe Cosgrave and Joan Maher were elected.
Muriels husband the late Riocard O Tiarnaigh was well known in sailing circles and there is a race the ‘Riocard O’ Tiarnaigh Challenge’ named after him.
Muriel was a member of the influential Womens Political Association.
Muriel O Tiarnaigh -Fine Gael -1985 Local Elections -Howth August 19, 2010
Marian White Leaflet -Workers Party -1991 Local Elections Blackrock
From the 1991 Local Elections, a leaflet (the general one used by most WP candidates in that election) for Workers Party candidate Marian White running in Blackrock.
She narrowly missed out on a seat.
She stood subsequently for Democratic Left in the 1992 General Election in Dublin South and for Labour in the 1999 Local Elections in Blackrock but without gaining a seat.
1970s Leaflet advertising ‘Labour Party Bounty Bonds’ August 18, 2010
First off many thanks to the sender.
From the early 1970s a Leaflet advertising ‘Labour Party Bounty Bonds’.
The aim of the Bonds were to “Help build a Strong Labour Party by supplying it with the sinews of war for the vital years up to the next General Election.”
These bonds gave the owner a return of their investment after five years with an opportunity to win up to £50 in 20 Quarterly Draws over the five year period.
1927 County Tipperary Labour Bulletin
Was sent these images (many thanks). A 1927 County Tipperary Labour Bulletin. There were two elections in 1927 so I’m not sure which campaign this comes from.
Daniel Morrissey was a Labour TD, became an Independent , switched to Cumann na nGaedheal and then became a Fine Gael TD. He was a TD from 1922 to 1954.
The William O’Brien mentioned is probably ‘William X. O’Brien’ who (according to wikipedia) was “A close friend and associate of James Connolly. O’Brien helped establish the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union in 1909, and was instrumental in the Dublin Lockout strike in 1913″….. “O’Brien was elected as TD for Dublin South at the 1922 general election, and again for Tipperary in June 1927 and again in 1937”.
The details of the campaign are covered including meetings, canvassing, transport and The Register of electors.
Apologies for the size of the text.
John Brackens 2007 Election Song August 17, 2010
After the popularity of Mattie McGraths 2007 Election Song ……
Here’s another musical memory from the 2007 General Election. …… John Bracken’s 2007 Election Song…
‘Bring ALL Our Prisoners Home’ poster
Not quite sure when this is from, the sender suggests “maybe late 80’s/early 90’s”. A poster looking to ‘Bring ALL Our Prisoners Home’
‘Senator Alex White Summer Report’ -July 2010
From July 2010 Senator Alex Whites ‘Summer Report’. White positioning himself for the by election if it ever happens.
Amongst other things it Contains a message from him, excerpts from speeches in the Seanad and an attempt at getting Green votes with the ‘Growing Your Own’ part.
The Green Party’s Party Political Broadcast from the 2007 general election August 16, 2010
The Green Party’s Party Political Broadcast from the 2007 general election. It was excellent.
“Back To School” leaflet from Aidan Culhane Labour Party Dublin South 2010
Its not just the signs in shops, the ads in the papers, on the radio and on television that remind you that its back to school time…. its flyers from politicians too.
Here a recent flyer from Labour councillor Aidan Culhane with the Back to School theme also.
Various allowances and schemes are covered.
Éamon de Valera -‘We Got Him Out To Put Him In’ poster
Was sent this image. I presume from the 1917 General Election a poster for Eamon De Valera. The slogan of ‘We Got Him Out To Put Him In’ is excellent.
“This Constituency needs a Senior Government Minister” -Pat Rabbitte -2007 GE Dublin SW August 15, 2010
From the 2007 General Election in Dublin South West a flyer from the then Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte with the catchy headline “This Constituency needs a Senior Government Minister”.
The flyer continues that “Pat Rabbitte can be that Senior Minister” and the standard “No Seat is Safe”.
Pat Rabbitte was elected….. he didn’t become a “Senior Government Minister”.
“You Live in this Area- Vote for this Area” -Noel O’Flynn Fianna Fail -2002 GE Cork North Central August 14, 2010
From the 2002 General Election a leaflet for Cork North Central Fianna Fail TD Noel O’Flynn. O’Flynn seemingly under pressure for the seat issued this leaflet highlighting his connections with the local area.
He duly topped the poll.
Many thanks to the sender
Regina Doherty -Fine Gael -Meath East 2007 GE August 13, 2010
From the 2007 General Election a leaflet fro Fine Gael candidate Regina Doherty running in Meath East. She polled well but missed out on a seat.
Like a lot of Fine Gael leaflets from 2007 there was little or nothing about the candidate themselves.
“The Straight Vote is Simple, Fair, Democratic” -Fianna Fail Poster from the 1968 Referendum on the change of voting system August 12, 2010
Almost topical given the current debate on political and electoral reform. From the 1968 Referendum on Change in Voting System, which was defeated, a Fianna Fail poster in favour of the measure.
“The Straight Vote is Simple, Fair, Democratic” said the Fianna Fail Poster. The Labour Party Posters against the measure was “The Straight Vote in Crooked”
Fianna Fail proposed changing the voting system to that similar to the UK
The Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1968, proposes
To substitute for the present system of voting at Dáil elections the “straight vote” system in single-member constituencies;
“To establish a Commission to determine constituencies, subject to the right of the Dáil to amend the constituencies as so determined; and
To provide that whenever the Dáil is dissolved the outgoing Ceann Comhairle may be returned, without a contest, as a second deputy for a constituency chosen by him which consists of, or includes a part of, the constituency he represented before the dissolution.”
‘The Strength Of Sinn Fein’ – 1934 Ard Fheis Presidential Address by Rev. Michael O’Flanagan August 10, 2010
Many many thanks to the donor.
From the 1934 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis an wonderful pamphlet of an address by Father Michael O’Flanaghan to the Party.
We get a 1934 perspective on Sinn Fein since its foundation in 1917. Goes through various topics including the first split in 1922 and the second split in 1926.
“The most important task of any organisation is to preserve the purity of its principles.” says O’Flanaghan.
A summary of Father Michael O’Flanagans life can be read here.
A Bertie Ahern leaflet from the 1985 Local Elections. August 9, 2010
From The 1985 Local Elections a leaflet for Bertie Ahern. He was elected and in 1986 served as Lord Mayor of Dublin.
The Full Time Constituency office would not have been St Lukes which was bought in 1987.
Aside from all his various interests and positions held his advice clinics are listed.
Trócaire Lenten Campaign Posters
Slighty away from the normal topics, a selection of Trócaire posters from various of their campaigns. A number of Trócaire’s targeted campaigns are represented here.
When I got these (many thanks to the sender) I remembered the Trócaire Boxes of my youth, where now its my children that have them each lent. I’d love to get some older posters or indeed older images of Trócaire boxes as they were very much part of us growing up.
“The Birmingham Six , Remember Them This Christmas” -Christmas Card issued by The Birmingham Six Committee mid 80s August 8, 2010
From the mid eighties a Christmas Card issued by The Birmingham Six Committee. “The Birmingham Six , Remember Them This Christmas” . It asked the recipient to light six candles in the window on Christmas Day to show your belief in the innocence of Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerard Hunter, Richard McIlkenny, William Power and John Walker.
It also asked the recipients to write to Douglas Hurd, Peter Barry, TDs , MP and other bodies.
The Birmingham Six were wrongly convicted of the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975. After a long campaign they were released in 1991.
Many thanks to the Sender.
Irish Election Literature 
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