From the 1957 General Election in the Limerick West constituency a poster for Fianna Fail candidates Michael Colbert, James Collins and Donnchadh O Briain with the slogan “Fianna Fail Faces Facts , Fianna Fail for Future Freedom”.
James Collins served was first elected in 1948 and served until his death in 1967. The subsequent by-election was won by his son Gerry Collins. Another son Michael Collins also served as a TD. His Grandson Niall Collins is currently a TD for Limerick West.
Michael Colbert served 3 terms as a TD.
Donnchadh O Briain was fist elected in 1933 and held his seat until his retirement in 1969.
in this 1957 Election, Collins and Ó Briain were elected. (Result at electionsireland.org)
From Limerick in 1957 -“Fianna Fail Faces Facts , Fianna Fail for Future Freedom” Poster December 1, 2010
In Praise of Bertie… 2007 Fianna Fail Election Podcast on the Peace Process featuring Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, Bertie and more November 30, 2010
In a time of bad publicity for Fianna Fail, a 2007 Election Podcast that looks at Peace in Northern Ireland.
Amongst those featured are Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, and Bertie…
I think it was also a party political broadcast.
Mary Banotti -Fine Gael -1983 Dublin Central By-Election
From the 1983 Dublin Central by election a leaflet for Fine Gael candidate Mary Banotti. There is a message of support from the then Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald as well as a profile of the candidate herself.
The by-election was caused by the death of former Tainiste and Fianna Fail TD George Colley. Banotti polled 7,362 votes but lost out to Fianna Fails Tom Leonard. Mary Banotti is the sister of former TD Nora Owen and Grand niece of Michael Collins. She was elected to the European Parliament in 1984 and served there until 2004 when she retired. She also stood in the 1997 Presidential election won by Mary McAleese.
Another old FF Election Poster “The Nation Needs Now! Clear Policy, Effective Leadership -Vote Fianna Fail” November 27, 2010
Another old Fianna Fail Election poster that is dripping with irony.
“The Nation Needs Now! Clear Policy, Effective Leadership -Vote Fianna Fail”
Fine Gael Ad with message from Liam Cosgrave for Paul Connaughton, John Mannion -1975 Galway West and Galway North East by-elections November 23, 2010
From the 1975 Galway West and Galway North East by-elections an ad for Fine Gael candidates Paul Connaughton and John Mannion. Both by-elections were caused by the death of Fianna Fail TDs. The son of the Late Michael Kitt won the Galway North-East by-election for Fianna Fail, whilst the daughter of the Late John Geoghegan, Maire Geoghegan Quinn won the seat for Fianna Fail in Galway West.
We also have a great message from Liam Cosgrave extolling the virtues of the Government of the time. We learn that “The Government (a) removed the ceiling of 500 homes per aeriel imposed by the Fianna Fail government on cable television….”. Plenty of other good information from the time in the message too.
*Taken from the Galway Advertiser site.
Old Fianna Fail Election Poster -“How Much Is Freedom Worth? – Will You Vote with your head up or your hand out?” November 18, 2010
Rather Apt for the times that are in it. I’m not sure what election this is from but the Slogan is timeless.
“How Much Is Freedom Worth? – Will You Vote with your head up or your hand out?”
*Give us a mention if using the poster please.
“The Next Steps Forward For Ireland” -Fianna Fail 2007 General Election Website ‘thenextsteps.ie’
From the 2007 General Election a copy of the Fianna Fail campaign website thenextsteps.ie
Click on the link above or on the Image to launch the website. As ever, with archived websites it may be slow.
“The Next Steps Forward For Ireland” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it now as it did then.
Paul Dolan -Independent Socialist -1985 Local Elections Cavan UDC November 15, 2010
From the 1985 Local Elections a leaflet for Independent Socialist Candidate Paul Dolan running for Cavan UDC. Paul Dolan had previously stood for the Socialist Labour Party.
Many thanks to the sender who notes..
“He was elected in 85 and served 9 years declining to run again. He joined Labour in 1991 and ran for Cavan county council (Cavan area) in the same year failing to take a seat with 340 votes, a feat which the local Anglo Celt newspaper described as outstanding for Labour.He declined to renew his membership of Labour around 95. He was also involved in the local H Block/Armagh group and the Gralton Labour History Committee.”
The Leaflet gives a taste of the times ….
“Our Jails -Cooneys Shame” Poster from the Prisoners Rights Organisation mid 70s November 9, 2010
From the mid 70s a “Our Jails -Cooneys Shame” Poster from the Prisoners Rights Organisation. The Cooney in question was the then Minister of Justice Paddy Cooney (who lost his seat in the 1977 election).
Many thanks to the sender.
“A personal message from Liam Cosgrave” Vote Yes to the EEC – 1972 Referendum on Entry to the EEC November 7, 2010
From the 1972 Referendum on entry to the EEC an ad from Fine Gael urging a Yes vote.
Amongst the arguments used are that Britain will be entering and as they accounted for 65% of our exports that Ireland has to enter too.
We will be attractive for Foreign investment and the EEC will pay the farming subsidies that Taxpayers paid.
There was also the argument that if the North was in the EEC and we were not, then reunification of the island would be more difficult.
The Referendum was passed.
from the Galway Advertiser.
“A Changing State -Reforming and Rewarding the Public Service” – March 1996 Progressive Democrats November 2, 2010
This was sent to me a while back (many thanks) .
From 1996 a Progressive Democrats a 27 page Document on the Reform of the Public Service. Its pretty interesting considering that they were in power from 1997 until their demise.
Uploaded in pdf HERE or click on the image to launch
Erskine Childers -“A President for all the nation” -1973 Presidential Election October 29, 2010
An Ad for the late Erskine Childers running in the 1973 Presidential Election. It was interesting that there was no message from Childers himself just one from Lynch.
Also included is a newspaper clipping advertising Fianna Fails Galway Election HQ and a Rally in Eyre Square.
Childers, a TD from 1938 until 1973, had spells as Tánaiste , Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Transport and Power, Minister for Lands and Minister for Health.
He was elected to the Presidency in 1973, He passed away on the 17th of November 1974 and was succeeded by Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh.
Taken from the wonderful Galway Advertiser site.
Ad for Irene King -Aontacht Eireann -1973 GE Galway West October 26, 2010
From the 1973 General Election an Ad for Irene King the Aontacht Eireann candidate in Galway West. The Ad refers to a rally to be addressed by the late Kevin Boland. Its interesting that the Troubles or the North are not mentioned in the Ad. Instead its prices and benefits. I’ve also included a profile of the candidate which mentions the role of her Father in the war of Independence and Civil War as well as the impact of it. Irene King polled 416 votes.
Aontacht Éireann was founded in 1971 after Kevin Boland resigned from Fianna Fail in protest at the dismissal of Neil Blaney and Charles Haughey as well as Party Policy on The North. They Fielded 12 candidate (according to wikipedia) in the 1973 General Election but failed to win any seats. Boland resigned as leader in 1976 and the party was wound up in 1984.
Ad taken from the wonderful Galway Advertiser site.
Interview with Christopher Morris of the ‘Community Democrats of Ireland’- 1979 European Elections October 23, 2010
The Community Democrats of Ireland are a party I know little about. There is little or nothing on them online. They fielded 3 candidates in the 1979 European Elections. (ElectionsIreland.org)
The three were, Christopher Morris in Conaught Ulster, Kevin Clear in Dublin and Michael B Crowe in Munster. All polled poorly.
The below is an interview with Christopher Morris, the party candidate in Connaught Ulster. He mentions the Liberals standing in Northern Ireland. Presumably that was James Murray who also polled poorly.
The Clipping is taken from the wonderful Galway Advertiser Site.
“We Want No Reds Here!” -Cumann na nGaedhael Poster and ‘How Much is Freedom Worth’ Fianna Fail poster October 22, 2010
Had forgotten about this Cumann na nGaedhael Poster, pointed out to me recently. The type of thing Labour might be facing at the next election.
Not sure when the Fianna Fail poster is from.
From 1977 -“The Fianna Fail Manifesto -an action plan for national recovery” – abridged version October 18, 2010
From 1977 an abridged version of the Fianna Fail Election Manifesto. The 1977 Fianna Fail Manifesto has gone down as one which in part led to Irelands fiscal crisis in the 80s. In the main the Manifesto was reportedly crafted by Martin O’Donoghue.
It proved popular with the voters as Fianna Fail were returned with an unprecedented 20 seat majority.
Amongst the below are Tax cuts, abolition of Rates, first time buyer grants of £1000 and other giveaways.
Amongst the first time TDs elected were Bertie Ahern, Pádraig Flynn, Liam Lawlor, Charlie McCreevy, Martin O’Donoghue and Albert Reynolds.
The vision of this manifesto is an Ireland in which a successful strategy for national reconstruction offers real security for all. It has been carefully put together and costed for implementation in government by a team under Jack Lynch as Taoiseach. It is a blueprint for leadership which,by firm and just administration of law,esteem and enterprise,and concern for the individual,will bring back that sense of confidence and interdependence which is essential to the growth of peace and social progress,and of our cultural heritage and place among the nations of the world.
Apologies for the size of the text.
Taken from the wonderful Galway Advertiser Site.
Leaflet for Richard Conroy -Fianna Fail- 1987 General Election Dun Laoghaire. October 16, 2010
From the run up to the 1987 General Election a Leaflet with Calendar and New Years Message from Fianna Fail Dun Laoghaire candidate Richard Conroy. Conroy had four previous attempts running for Fianna Fail in General Elections and had failed to win a seat. Here in 1987 he polled 2897 votes and again missed out. (His record at Electionsireland.org).
Conroy is founder and director of Conroy Diamonds and Gold, a mining and exploration company as well as Conroy Petroleum.
From February 1982 ‘Voters of Dun Laoghaire. For Your Future’ Vote Andrews, O’Donoghue, O Méalóid -Fianna Fail October 8, 2010
From the February 1982 General Election a leaflet from Fianna Fail in Dun Laoghaire. ‘Voters of Dun Laoghaire. For Your Future’ Vote Andrews, O’Donoghue, O Méalóid.
David Andrews and Martin O’Donoghue both held their seats, Clare O Méalóid polled 945 votes and failed to get in.
Irish Election Literature 
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