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.
“The Birmingham Six , Remember Them This Christmas” -Christmas Card issued by The Birmingham Six Committee mid 80s August 8, 2010
Discussion Paper on Forestry from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis August 6, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis a discussion paper on Forestry. In the mid 80s Forestry was seen as a long term jobs provider. Trees grew faster in Ireland than in Scandinavia and also grew on bad land.
“Dont Prop Up A Rotten Cause” and other Cumann na nGaedhael Posters from the 1932 General Election July 27, 2010
Many thanks to the sender.
A series of wonderful Cumann na nGaedhael Posters from the 1932 General Election.
A Documentary – “Charles Haugheys Ireland” -Episode 2 July 23, 2010
Episode 2 of the documentary series made by Charles Haughey in the Late 80s. I’ve no idea if it was ever broadcast and other than his own ego why it was made.
A documentary -“Charles Haugheys Ireland” – Episode 1
Found this on Youtube a documentary series on Ireland presented by Charles Haughey.
Not sure why or when it was made.
“A Woman’s Place is Everywhere” Badges…. “Equal Pay Now” Poster
First off many thanks to the sender.
A few images of Womens Liberation badges and a Sinn Fein poster for Equal pay.
“Fianna Fail Is Good For Dublin” – 1992 General Election Dublin Manifesto July 21, 2010
From the 1992 General Election a pamphlet “Fianna Fail is Good For Dublin”. It was a slimmed down version of their Manifesto tailored to Dublin.
The “booklet sets out some of our achievements over the past few years, and some of the plans we have developed to continue this work”.
Amongst the items were a “£750 million Job Fund”. Whats interesting here is that it advocated direct state investment by setting up ” a new holding company to invest in job creation”. Plenty of other items of interest too including the introduction of Night buses and radio stations FM104 and 98FM.
‘The Shadow Of The Gunman -Keep It From Your Home’ and other Cumann na nGaedhael Posters July 20, 2010
The famous ‘The Shadow Of The Gunman -Keep It From Your Home’ Poster from Cumann na nGaedhael. It was from the 1932 General Election. The other Posters I think are from 1932 also.
There was some imagination used in the making of the posters and through some of the messages you can see that The Civil War was still fresh in the Poster Designers minds.
Many thanks to the sender.
“Health Cuts Hurt the Old The Sick and The Handicapped” -Fianna Fail- 1987 General Election July 19, 2010
From the 1987 General Election the famous Fianna Fail “Health Cuts Hurt the Old The Sick and The Handicapped” poster. “There is a Better Way- Fianna Fail”
‘Back Lemass , Vote Fianna Fail’ Poster from the 1961 General Election July 18, 2010
From the 1961 General election a Poster for Fianna Fail urging voters to “Back Lemass”.
Sean Lemass had been appointed Taoisseach in 1959 and this was his first election as leader of Fianna Fail.
Fianna Fail lost 8 seats but Lemass headed a Fianna Fáil minority government.
Lynda Gibney , Tommy Murphy- Fianna Fail -1999 LE Drogheda Corporation July 15, 2010
from the 1999 Local Elections a flyer for Fianna Fail candidates Lynda Gibney and Tommy Murphy running for Drogheda Corporation. Tommy Murphy was elected.
Tom Crilly -Workers Party -1985 LE Pembroke July 14, 2010
From the 1985 Local Elections a leaflet for Workers Party candidate Tom Crilly running in the Pembroke Ward.
Of the times, he writes
One of the reasons for the closure of many of our local industries has been Dublin Corporation decisions to rezone land from industrial use to office block accommodation. These decisions have benefited speculators but have put thousands of workers on the dole. Tom will strongly oppose the further destruction of our industries, as happened at the International Meat Company, Bolands Bakery and Irish Glass Bottle Company, and he will oppose the planned closure of Dublin Port.
then
Tom will campaign for the introduction of lead free petrol
“Standards, Accountability and Transparency Offered by a New Political Party Called THE PRIORITIES PARTY” -Getting YOUR Priorities Right! -2008 July 13, 2010
From 2008 a leaflet from the shortlived Priorities Party.
Founded by former Green Party Member Leo Armstrong and Fine Gael member Florence Craven, they started out with the best of intentions. Alas its very hard to start a New Party and make an impact.
In this leaflet they did though reflect the anger of many and this was before NAMA, the Bank Bailouts , cutbacks and so on.
As the party name suggests, we aim to improve standards and accountability in Irish politics, a feature that has been lacking in Irish politics since the Haughey era. What are the opposition parties doing about the present situation? They are doing very little. The Green Party was once very vociferous in its attacks on Fianna Fail until they went into coalition last year. Our opposition parties do not have teeth. We have never been more in need of a strong opposition to rid us of a party which continually supported those of its members who lied and perjured themselves just to hold on to power.
Discussion Paper on Womens Affairs and Family Law Reform-1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis July 9, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Cork a Discussion Paper on Women’s Affairs and Family Law Reform.
Some of the items mentioned illustrate how things have changed….
“In the Law Reform area a number of initiatives have taken place, or will be implemented in the course of 1985, for example:
—the passing of the Health (Family Planning) Amendment Bill, 1985;
—the setting up of a Pilot Scheme for conciliation in family law cases (March 1985);
—the publication of the draft Illegitimacy Bill, which will provide for the elimination of discrimination against children born outside marriage;
”
and also how they haven’t changed…
—the publication of the Children’s (Care and Protection) Bill, 1985, which when effected, will implement many of the recommendations of the Task Force on Child Care services;
1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for Funds July 8, 2010
First off many many thanks to the Sender for this. (and donations always welcome)
(I’m also assuming that this letter is real)
A 1986 letter from The Workers Party to the Communist Party of The Soviet Union (CPSU) looking for “a grant of one million pounds (Irish) over the proposed five year development period in order to assist.. in this vital and urgent task, which we believe will be Of benefit to the world struggle for Peace, Freedom, and Socialism.”
The letter is signed by Proinsias De Rossa and Sean Garland.
Amongst other things it gives a background to where the party were, their view of Ireland at the time and outlines what they would spend funds on.
There is also a mention of ‘Special Activities’.
Some of this has been detailed in The Lost Revolution.
As its hard to read in places, the text is underneath each page.
Dear Comrade,
The Executive of the Workers Party of Ireland, on the occasion of a visit to Moscow of the General Secretary, Sean Garland, and Vice-President and Chairperson Executive Political Committee, Councillor Proinsias De Rossa TD, wishes to convey its warm regards and fraternal greetings to the Central Committee and members of the C.P.S.U. and to address this important and urgent message to you.
Though it has been a relatively short time since our two parties established relations in December ’83, each year has seen more contact and understanding leading to more positive development and to a better
overall understanding of the two parties objectives strategies and tactics. In regard to the basic fundamentals, of objectives and tasks in the world today, there is we believe a common analysis and a common approach.
We know that you are quite familiar with the general situation in Ireland, just as we ourselves, keep informed as to developments in the Soviet Union and throughout the world. We would however like to briefly sketch for you the present and immediate future situation in Ireland as we see it.
In the Republic of Ireland the continuing economic Crisis is making the coalition government of Fine Gael and Labour very unstable. The parliament has only one year to run but many Observers are now predicting the possibility of a General election this November or early next spring. The government has lost the confidence of the majority of the people, of business, of the trade unions, and even of many of its members both inside and outside parliament. The Main opposition party, Fianna Fail, is expected to table a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the government
Pictures of Sandycove Baths in 1942 July 7, 2010
Found these at home and thought them worth posting.
Two pictures taken at Sandycove baths near Dun Laoghaire in 1942. The Family would have been on Holiday in Dun Laoghaire at the time.
The detail isn’t great (the photos were matchbox sized) but it gives an idea what the baths looked like.
The baths closed in the early 1970s.
Sean Farren -SDLP -1979 Westminster Elections North Antrim June 30, 2010
From the 1979 Westminster Elections a leaflet for Sean Farren of the SDLP running in North Antrim. Powersharing is amongst the items covered.
Sean Farren who was until recently a leading figure in the SDLP.
As images are difficult to read the text of each image is below.
“Hello Divorce….. Bye Bye Daddy….” Poster -1995 Divorce Referendum June 27, 2010
Hello Divorce goodbye daddy
From the 1995 Divorce Referendum, a picture of the infamous “Hello Divorce….. Bye Bye Daddy….” Poster/ Billboard campaign issued by the No Divorce Campaign. Not ‘goodbye Daddy’ but the childish ‘bye bye Daddy’
The Divorce Referendum was passed.
Irish Election Literature 
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