Forty Years ago today (May 10th 1972) we voted on entry to the EEC. Below some of the campaign material.
Click on images to enlarge.
Forty Years ago today (May 10th 1972) we voted on entry to the EEC. Below some of the campaign material.
Click on images to enlarge.
From the 1972 Referendum on entry to the EEC an Ad from the Common Market Defence Committee against EU entry.
In the current Referendum Campaign there are many groups outside the Political Parties campaigning on the different sides, be it IBEC, The IFA, Commercial Tenants ,Various Unions and the like. Indeed all we are missing so far is Coir.
Back in 1972 ,the Referendum on entry to the EEC also had many diverse groups campaigning for and against. This is from the Pigs and Bacon Commission who were looking for a Yes vote to “Make Sure Of Our Markets!”.

From the Clar for the 1980 Fianna Fail Ard Fheis, Then Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Charlie Haughey’s message to delegates.
From the 1980 Fianna Fail Ard Fheis Clar a summary of Fianna Fails 1979 Accounts with note from the Auditor and Party Treasurer.
A flyer for a meeting of ‘National League United’ against the proposed move of Wimbledon FC to Dublin to become the Dublin Dons. The move was first proposed in 1996 and the idea of Dublin being home to a Premier League Soccer team appealed to many. Amongst those enthusiastic about the move were Eamon Dunphy, Paul McGuinness and Owen O’Callaghan.
A stadium in Neilstown was to be built and Shelbourne had agreed to let them play in Tolka Park whilst the ground was being built.
More information here
Many thanks to Fergus Desmond of The Shamrock Rovers Heritage Trust for the use of the image.

From the 1981 General Election an Ad for H-Block candidate Joe McDonnell who was running in Sligo-Leitrim. McDonnell narrowly missed out on a seat winning 5,639 votes.
He died on the 8th of July 1981 after 61 days on Hunger Strike. More details on McDonnell here.
The Ad has a profile of McDonnell, a message to voters from him and the Manifesto of the H-Block candidates.
“Remember ‘Bloody Sunday’ 1972” a Christmas Card from the Peoples Democracy group in 1972.
More Information on Peoples Democracy Here and a number of Peoples Democracy Publications here
Many thanks to the sender.
From 1943 a letter from Ailtirí na hAiséirghe Councillor in Louth Eoin O’Coglaigh (Owen Quigley) looking for funds and outlining the aims of the party.
Many thanks to the sender.

An Anti Nuclear Power leaflet I picked up recently arguing the case against Nuclear power in Ireland. Not sure what group its from but it does mention an Anti Nuclear Workshop being held in Tralee.
Carnsore Point and its costs are mentioned amongst the various arguements against Nuclear Power.

From the 1926 Dublin County By-Election a wonderful poster for former Tainiste and Labour Party Leader William Norton. The poster attacks a statement made by Professor Michael Tierney TD (Later President of UCD) speaking at a rally in support of Thomas Healy (the government candidate) where he said that
“..it was not a question of Unemployment, the trouble was the Lousers (meaning the Unemployed Workers) would not work.”
William Norton was elected.
Many thanks to the sender.

From the 1989 General Election a “Notice to ASTI Members” regarding the various Political Parties positions on the funding for the new Junior Certificate.

From the 1932 General Election “Shall Widows and Orphans Suffer? Labour says -No!”. Its interesting in that it points to the achievements of the UK Labour Party in bringing in Widows pensions in 1926.
Another poster that I took a picture of in Kilmainham Gaol, This time a poster for Sean Lemass possibly from one of the 1924 Dublin South By-Elections.
“The Free State has Brought Prosperity to the Free State Ministers . Has it Brought Prosperity to You? …Vote For Lemass and a Fair Deal For All”

Was on a recent tour of the excellent Kilmainham Goal and took a few pictures of some of the many brilliant posters there.

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