‘Leinster House Visitors Guide’
A lovely little booklet produced by Fine Gael Senator Nicky McFadden.
Lots of areas are covered including the History of the House itself, our electoral system, famous visitors, The Dail and The Constitution.
Leinster House Visitors Guide -Nicky McFadden -Fine Gael 2009 June 22, 2010
‘Some Notes on Ireland’s Premier Political Party’ – a 1989 Fianna Fail Leaflet June 15, 2010
From 1989 a leaflet distributed by the Sean Lemass Cumann in Maynooth entitled ‘Some Notes on Ireland’s Premier Political Party‘
We get a little history of Fianna Fail as well as party Philosophies and attacks on both Labour and Fine Gael. The leaflet is also very much of its time in that it harks back to Fianna Fail basics, or what were Fianna Fail basics.
“The electoral record of the pasty reflects it’s success in forming policies on national and constitutional issues that appeal to all sections of the Irish people. Fianna Fail has made a unique and historic contribution to the building up of our state and the welfare of its people. Its achievements have been the result of progressive policies formilated by a caring listening leadership in tune with a true cross section of our people. ”
“That Fianna Fail is to the Left of Fine Gael may be seen in the party’s commitment to the problems of the small man….”
“The Labour party’s commitment to nationalisation in pursuit of a Social Workers’ Republic goes much further than is acceptable to the Fianna Fail view of the importance of individual rights and freedoms in society. Labour has also opposed Fianna Fail policy on free trade and Irish entry to the E.E.C.
In the field of economic and social development, the most significant advances of Fianna Fail in Government in recent years were the provision of free post-primary education for all, membership of the European Economic Community and the European Monetary System.”
1987 Fundraising Letter from Des O’Malley to Party Members -Progressive Democrats 1987 GE June 14, 2010
The 1987 General Election has been called and Des O’Malley writes to all members of the Progressive Democrats looking for funds.
1945 Fianna Fail Election Leaflet for Dun Laoghaire Borough.
First off many thanks to the sender.
A Fianna Fail leaflet from the 1945 Borough Council Elections in Dun Laoghaire. With the Presidential Election on the same day there is also a plea for voters to vote for Sean T O’Kelly.
Amongst the issues mentioned are Ground Rents, Housing, employment and the potential for Tourism in the Borough.
The candidate list is of great interest too.
Sean Brady (him at electionsireland.org) was a longstanding TD for the area.
Rogers, “Terry” was Ignatius Terence Rogers born in Roscommon, died in January 1968, an athlete, father of John Daniel Rogers (former amateur snooker champion) and Terence Ignatius Rogers (The Red Menace) bookmaker of some renown who was one of the first to open betting shops in England. He and his business partner sold their chain of offices to Ladbrokes thus making Terry Ireland’s youngest millionaire.
Hudson, “Brackie” was a relative of Sonny Hudson killed in Glasthule during the Civil war. Hudson Road in Glasthule was named after Sonny.
O h-Uadhaigh, Robert was a Barrister and the family had a law practise in Nassau Street up to the 1980’s.
Proud, Liam completed his studies, married Ann Daniel (her father was the Sub Agent and later Agent of Bank of Ireland, Anglesea Buildings, Dun Laoghaire) his son is a pianist. Liam Proud was also an Artist.
Michael O’Rourke had O’Rourkes Chemist in Dun Laoghaire. O Rourkes Park in Sallynoggin is named after him .
Matthew Cullen, Patrick Gallagher, Michael Kennedy and Oliver Moriarty were the other candidates.
Thanks also to contributors at http://www.dunlaoghairecounty.ie/ for helping with the History of the candidates.
Joseph Maguire – Labour Party -1967 Local Elections- Rathdown May 5, 2010
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.
Count Plunkett Election Badge 1918 (?) Roscommon May 2, 2010
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
Young Fine Gael – Futureline -Autumn 1992 -includes Condom articles and John Bruton interview April 29, 2010
I’m not sure if this is a supplement to the October 1992 edition of Futureline or if it was an edition produced by itself (and I’m missing the cover?). Futureline was (is?) a Young Fine Gael Magazine.
The main focus of this is an interview with John Bruton. We also have amongst other things an editorial from a Young Brian Hayes (The New National Youth and Education Officer), items on condoms and stuff on the Rio summit.
The items on condoms by Colm Brophy and John Armstrong are especially interesting and give an insight into the time.
If you cant see the full image click on it (I’ll have to start doing pdf files for some of these soon)
‘Euro-Dub’ -Des Geraghty freesheet -Democratic Left Summer 1993 April 28, 2010
From the summer of 1993 a freesheet produced by Des Geraghty of Democratic Left called ‘Euro-Dub’ (not exactly the catchiest title). Geraghty , who had stood unsuccessfully in the 1984 European Elections for The Workers Party, was co-opted to replace Prionsias De Rossa as MEP in the Summer of 1992. In effect this freesheet was advertising the fact that he was now the MEP. I’m not sure what the situation was in 1994 when it was Pat Rabbitte rather than Geraghty who fought the Euro Election in Dublin for The Democratic Left.
The paper argues that Dublin was neglected, that a lot of the EU money went elsewhere in the country than Dublin. There is an attack on The Dirty Dozen
Theres an interesting article ‘Culture on the Dole’ written by ‘Joxer Daly’. I presume to illustrate that the Democratic Left were not just concerned with the peoples economic wellbeing but also with their quality of life.
The in brief mentions amongst other items, the dispute at Pat the Baker, Sellafield and a new CD ‘Step by Step’ by the Work and Play Band. There is also a further indication of culture with a competition to win the Roddy Doyle book ‘Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha’.
I have yet to perfect pdfs so you’ll need to click on the image to read the pages.
Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition – Yes to the Good Friday Agreement Flyer April 26, 2010
From the 1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum , a flyer urging a Yes vote from the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC).
Founded in 1996 by Monica McWilliams and Pearl Sagar, the NIWC won 2 seats in the 1996 Northern Ireland Forum Elections. The Party then won 2 seats in the 1998 Assembly elections through Monica McWilliams and Jane Morrice. In the 2003 Assembly elections both seats were lost and in 2006 the party wound down.
“Father Michael O’Flanagan -Republican Priest” -1954 Connolly Association Pamphlet by Desmond Greaves April 19, 2010
A lenghthy Pamphet produced by The Connolly Association in 1954 , “Father Michael O’Flanagan -Republican Priest”. Written by Desmond Greaves. It is the Story of his life with extracts from his speeches.
“The Staunchest Priest who ever lived in Ireland” wrote Count Plunkett.
A summary of Father Michael O’Flanagans life can be read here.
Larry Lohan -Progressive Democrats -Dun Laoghaire 1987 April 15, 2010
From the 1987 General Election in Dun Laoghaire, Progressive Democrat candidate Larry Lohan.With Geraldine Kennedy and Helen Keogh also on the PD ticket Lohan didn’t win a seat.
He was elected as a councillor in 1991 , Left the PDs stood again as an independent in 1999 and in 2009 stood for Fianna Fail but failed to win a seat.
Jack Lynch and Brendan Corish Posters -1973 General Election April 9, 2010
Was sent these , many thanks to the donor.A Jack Lynch poster from 1973 and a Brendan Corish one also from the 1973 General Election.
The Wexford based, Brendan Corish, was first elected in 1945 in a by-election caused by the death of his father Richard Corish.He was re elected to the Dail on each occasion before retiring in 1982. He served as Labour Leader for 17 years.
He served as Minister for Social Welfare from 1954 until 1957 and was Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Social Welfare from 1973 to 1977. He passed away in 1990.
The late Jack Lynch first forays into the public world were as a player for both the Cork football and Cork Hurling teams.
In his time he won five Hurling All Ireland medals and one Football All Ireland.
He was first elected to the Dail in 1948 and retired in 1981. He succeeded Sean Lemass as Leader of Fianna Fail and as Taoiseach. In his time he served three terms as Taoiseach and was at the helm in the turbulent days of the Arms Crisis and Bloody Sunday. He passed away in 1999.
Election Leaflet for Tony O’Hara -H-Block -1981 Dublin West March 30, 2010
Firstly many thanks to the donor.
From the 1981 General Election Tony O’Hara (also refered to as Anthony),running on a H Block ticket in Dublin West.
Tony O’Hara was the brother of deceased hunger striker Patsy O’Hara. He recieved 3,034 votes.
For those like myself who lived through the time of the Hunger Strike this leaflet brings back memories. Memories of the posters of the Hunger Strikers,the posters of Maggie Thatcher Wanted for murder, people wearing Black armbands, black flags on lampposts and the other protest marches in Dublin at the time.
In the leaflet, amongst others things are a biography of Tony O’Hara and The Hunger Strikers Five Demands
1. The right to wear their own clothes.
2. The right to refrain from compulsory do prison work, use the time for education in vocational, craft or culture fields.
3. Free association with other political prisoners
4. One letter, one parcel and one visit per week.
5. Restoration of remission of sentence lost through the protest.
First Dail 1919 -Poster with picture of each member. February 25, 2010
This wonderful poster was produced by Michael Finneran TD to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the First Dail.
It contains a scene from the Dail as well as pictures of each of the members.
(Thanks to Liam Byrne for sending me this)
Click on the poster to enlarge
‘A New and Exciting Option in Irish Politics’- Progressive Democrat booklet 1986 February 22, 2010
From 1986 a booklet ‘A New and Exciting Option in Irish Politics’ from the Progressive Democrats.
Given the current climate, where it is seen as an ideal opportunity for a new party to emerge, it makes interesting reading.
There is a message from Des O’Malley who states “The Progressive Democrats came into existence in response to inherent weaknesses in the
Irish political structure and the disaffection of very many people with the manner this country has been governed in recent years…”
There are a number of different sections to the booklet. These are “Origins and aims of the Progressive Democrats”, ‘What is the philosophy of the party?’,
“Right or Left?” , ‘What about The Economy?’, ‘How can you reduce taxation?’, ‘Can you reduce unemployment?’, ‘Will you tackle difficult social issues?’,
‘Waht hope for Northern Ireland?’, ‘How will party policy be framed?’ and ‘After the next Election?’. And of course ”How do I join?’.
It gives an idea as to what the parties policies were initially and also what was attractive about them.
Labour Party -Vote No Posters – 1968 Referendum on Change in Voting System February 6, 2010
Pics (not the greatest quality) kindly sent in by a donor
From the 1968 Referendum on Change in Voting System, two Labour Party ‘Vote No’ Posters
‘The Straight Vote is Crooked’ Vote NO!
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.
Leaflet from the 1954 General Election January 22, 2010
Another item received from a most kind donor. The prices are in old old money and from brief calculations the increases are bad.
Amongst the things to go up in price were Cigarettes (can you imagine any party giving out about that now) and the Wireless licence. The bread in the picture is what looks like a batch loaf (none of your sliced pans back then!) and all the other staples of tea, butter, flour, sugar and porter are there too.
I actually don’t know what party issued this though, other than it mustn’t have been Fianna Fail. I presume it’s from the 1954 General Election also.
Any ideas?
A selection of 1948 Election Posters January 18, 2010
I got emailed these by a kind donor, apparently they are from Life Magazine.
First off the Posters are all pasted on to the wall in billboard slots, not a poster to be seen on the lamppost!
The 1948 election will be remembered for the coming of Clann na Poblachta. Here in Dublin North Central constituency. (Result from Electionsireland.org) they didn’t win a seat.
There is also a picture of Fine Gael Leader General Richard Mulcahy Fine Gael leader from 1944 to 1959. When Fine Gael did come to power in 1948 it was John A. Costello rather than party leader Mulcahy who became Taoiseach. This was due to Mulcahy having been in government during the post Civil War executions. In the 1948 government he held the role of Minister for Education.
Note how the Fianna Fail poster has been defaced with ‘And Emigrate!’.
The sender notes …”I found a TIME article about the election which stated that adulterating and appending derogatory statements to posters was a frequent occurrence during the campaign”
Irish Election Literature 
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