From the 1967 Local Elections in the Rathdown Ward Labour Party candidates Bernard Connolly, Vincent MacDowell, Joseph Maguire and Gerard O’Reilly.
Was given a loan of this to scan – many thanks.
The Leaflet starts off by telling us that the local Elections had been delayed because they feared the Labour Party.
Labour seeks your active support -to change the quality of our local life by encouraging all sections of the community to develop a new progressive civic spirit.
Bernard Connolly was involved in the ITGWU, and would have been well known in the area at the time.
Vincent MacDowell, who later stood for the Green Party in 1992 and 1997 General Elections was father of former MEP Nuala Ahern. The Socialist Republican Labour Party which he was a founder of was the Party of Gerry Fitt amongst others.
It split in 1970 as Gerry Fitt and others joined the newly formed SDLP. The party disbanded in 1973.
Joseph Maguire was another involved in the ITGWU as well as music where he helped reestablish St Kevins Band in Bray.
Gerard O’Reilly was a businessman in Stillorgan and interested in the care of the mentally handicapped.
Bernard Connolly, Vincent MacDowell, Joseph Maguire, Gerard O’Reilly- Labour Party- 1967 Local Elections Rathdown May 11, 2010
Liam Burke -Sinn Fein -1992 Cork South-Central
From the 1992 General Election , Sinn Fein candidate Liam Burke running in Cork South Central. Liam Burke polled 592 votes.
1992 was two years prior to the first IRA ceasefire, The message from Gerry Adams metions the circumstances that could bring about the end to armed conflict.
The Leaflet mentions unemployment in Cork as well as Housing waiting lists and other issues.
There also mention of retaining Cork Multi-channel Television (Sinn Fein fighting to keep UK channels on Irish Television sets?).
Regards from Bertie- Letter looking for support for the Brother Maurice Ahern -2009 Local Elections,Dublin Central By-Election
From 2009 and Bertie Ahern writes to voters in Dublin Central asking for a vote for the Brother Maurice Ahern in both the By Election and the local elections.
Bertie as ever in Dublin Central writes ‘Dear Neighbour’ as opposed to ‘Dear Voter’.
“I am writing to thank you for the kindness and encouragement that has been extended to me…”
The content is of course as personal as ever. The elections give Bertie ‘a great opportunity to meet local residents and to catch up with you news and views…”
He then goes on to ask for a vote for Maurice Ahern in both the Local Elections and the by-election.
Maurice Ahern finished fifth in the by-election on just 12.26% of the vote and also failed to win a seat in the Local Elections.
Tony Williams-Progressive Democrats -2004 Local Elections Rathmines
From the 2004 Local Elections, Progressive Democrat candidate Tony WIlliams running in the Rathmines Ward.
Despite polling over 1000 votes Tony Williams failed to win a seat.
The PDs are taking credit for ‘preserving Lansdowne Road as a major national sports centre here in Dublin City’.
They were still getting mileage from Mary Harneys ban on Smokey coal 14 years earlier.
‘Some might say this is the best Government we’ve ever had?’ -PAM-1991 Local Elections May 10, 2010
”Some might say this is the best Government we’ve ever had?’
-But not if you have a Mental handicap’
A leaflet produced by PAM (Parents Association for People with a Mental Handicap) for the 1991 Local election campaign asking voters to ask candidates and canvassers what they had done to end the crisis.
Mary Heaslip -Progressive Democrats -1997 General Election -Wicklow
From the 1997 General Elction, a flyer for Mary Heaslip running for The Progressive Democrats in Wicklow.
Mary Heaslip polled 1,726 votes and Lost her Deposit.
You might notice a similarity between the PD Tree Logo and the Tory one.
Brian Cowen -Sorry I Missed You – 2007 General Election Laois- Offaly May 9, 2010
From the 2007 General Election a Sorry I missed you type card from Brian Cowen and his team of canvassers.
I’d hazard that many people now would be sorry to have missed him too.
On the reverse are listed key achievements. Amongst these are the number of houses being built. In the year prior to 2007 the incredible total of 93,149 houses were built.
Unemployment is now at higher than 1997 levels.
Bobby Sands -“Anti H-Block / Armagh Political Prisoner” – 1981 Fermanagh South Tyrone by election May 7, 2010
Poster and Leaflet for Hunger Striker, Bobby Sands who stood in the Fermanagh South Tyrone by-election held on the 9 April 1981. He won by 30,493 votes to 29,046 for the Unionist candidate Harry West.
The Hunger Strike centred around the “Five Demands”:
1. the right not to wear a prison uniform;
2. the right not to do prison work;
3. the right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;
4. the right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;
5. full restoration of remission lost through the protest
Bobby Sands died on the 5th of May 1981.
many thanks to the donor.
‘It’s time to change the government’ -Ciaran Cuffe -Green Party-Dun Laoghaire 2007 General Election May 5, 2010
It’s time to change the government writes Ciaran Cuffe running for the Green Party in Dun Laoghaire in the 2007 General Election. A feeling many share with him 3 years on.
We have his decent record over the previous 5 years as a TD and the plans for the future.
Joseph Maguire – Labour Party -1967 Local Elections- Rathdown
From the 1967 Local Elections in the Rathdown ward for Dublin City Council a card from Labour Party candidate, the Shankill based Joseph Maguire.
The message of ‘THIS TIME: SWING TO LABOUR WITH Joseph Maguire‘
The other Labour Party candidates were Bernard Connolly, Vincent McDowell and Gerard O’Reilly.
Fianna Fail 1977 Election Campaign song “Your Kind Of Country” sung by Colm C.T. Wilkinson. May 4, 2010
Not a normal post, but thought it worthy of posting.
Poking about the RTE site I found this gem “Your Kind Of Country” sung by Colm C.T. Wilkinson released by Fianna Fáil for the 1977 Election Campaign.
It will open in realplayer or something akin to that
The song and then a critique from assorted politicians.
Michael Cotter -Fianna Fail -1985 Local Elections Blackrock
From the 1985 Local Elections in the Blackrock Ward, Fianna Fail candidate Michael Cotter. Michael Cotter failed to be elected and stood again in 1991 without success.
A plea about being the youngest candidate and asking young and first time voters to vote for him is a fairly common theme.
Clare Daly Flyer -Socialist Party -2007 General Election Dublin North May 3, 2010
From the 2007 General Election campaign in Dublin North a flyer from Socialist Party candidate Clare Daly. Clare Daly narrowly missed out on a seat.
‘Elect a tireless campaigner with an unrivalled record’.
Gerry Adams letter to Belfast voters- Sinn Fein -1998 Assembly Elections May 2, 2010
From the 1998 Assembly elections, a letter from Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams to Belfast voters.
Count Plunkett Election Badge 1918 (?) Roscommon
An election badge for Count Plunkett from either the 1917 by election or 1918 General Election ( “Election of the Snows”) for the Roscommon constituency where he was returned.
Many thanks to Liam Byrne
Jim Ruttle – Independent- Blessington 2009 LE May 1, 2010
From the 2009 Local Elections for Wicklow County Council, longstanding Independent Councillor Jim Ruttle running in the Blessington LEA. Jim Ruttle was elected.
The System (P.R) Of Voting In Ireland -Paul McGrath -Fine Gael 2001 April 30, 2010
Quite an interesting leaflet produced by Westmeath Fine Gael TD Paul McGrath on ‘The System (P.R) Of Voting In Ireland’.
Explained in detail are the Irish version of Proportional Representation and how it works.There are Sections on the following…
The Tally, County and Mixing of Votes.
Spoiled ballot papers.
Calcualting the quota.
Transferring a Surplus.
What happens to the Votes of an Eliminated candidate?
Being Elected without Reaching the Quota.
There are also details on voter registration and the 1997 General Election count for Westmeath.
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.
Irish Election Literature 
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