Irish Election Literature

… what you maybe meant to keep…

The Late Mick Lally canvassing for Joe Higgins in the 1996 Dublin West by-election September 1, 2010


First off many thanks to the sender.
A clipping from Fortnight Magazine which shows the Late Mick Lally canvassing for Joe Higgins in the 1996 Dublin West by-election. Joe Higgins was running for Militant Labour (which later became the Socialist Party).
The article (which I only have this page of) is about the shockwaves caused by the Vote gained by Higgins in the by-election.
I’ve some Joe Higgins Leaflets from that Campaign posted in the  Militant Labour Category.

Like many my main memories of Mick Lally were from Bracken and Glenroe… and today as I heard reports on the funeral service on the news it also brought memories of Glenroe back.
It was an institution and there were many houses across the land when Sunday at 8.30 everything stopped and families sat down together to watch. In the Granny and Grandads on the regular Sunday visit and later as roles were reversed they with us. People who thought it rude to watch Television when you had guests (or were a guest) made an exception for Glenroe.
In time as people Passed on or Emigrated they were missed at the Sunday night ritual. What would Granny have thought of Miley and Fidelma, we wondered? For it was Miley and the Galway Hurlers that you could never say a bad word about.
Later on in the shows last years, it was us who went up on the Sunday for Dinner and then set off home after Glenroe. One night the Gardai called to the house (a few weeks after a murder in the locality) asking if we could remember seeing a strange car in the area at around eight in the evening on a Sunday.If you have ever been questioned about your whereabouts at a certain time and date you feel foolish not being able to remember.
Eventually I figured that we’d left after Glenroe so we wouldn’t have been in the area at the time.
In the mid 80s I worked as a bus conductor on the 84 route that went to Kilcoole, where some of Glenroe was filmed. On a daily basis we’d carry the day trippers to Kilcoole, out to see if they could get a glimpse of Biddy and Miley.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh d’anam

Mick Lally

 

Posters for 2009 Joe Higgins Election Fundraiser in Dingle August 31, 2010


Two posters, one in English , one in Irish advertising a fundraising gig for Joe Higgins European Election Campaign in Dingle. The gig featured Fergus O’Flaherty, Tom Lynch and Friends.
Joe a native of Lispole, is of course is a proud Kerryman. His brother, the late Liam Higgins won two All Irelands wearing the Green and Gold. Joe himself is often seen in Croke Park at matches (often with his mother). Needless to say its not the premium section you’ll see him.
Many thanks to the sender.

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Campaign News -The Workers’ Party Crumlin-Drimnagh -Brendan Phelan -2004 Local Elections – August 30, 2010


From the 2004 Local elections a ‘Campaign News’ Leaflet from The Workers Party Candidate Brendan Phelan.
Phelan polled 341 votes.
Amongst the items covered in the leaflet are Bin Tax, Womens Rights, House prices, Health cuts, Workers Rights, The War in Iraq and the LUAS.
The candidates profile mentions Brendan Phelans involvement in Irish Folk Music. He has written many well known folk songs and possibly his best known composition ‘Dublin In My Tears’ has been covered by artists far and wide.

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Joe Higgins -Socialist Party -Leaflet for the 2009 Local and European Elections August 27, 2010


From the 2009 Local Elections and European Elections a Leaflet for Joe Higgins running in Castleknock.
Higgins topped the poll in the Local elections and was also elected in the European Elections.
Many thanks to the sender.

 

A Flyer from Joan Collins -People Before Profit -Crumlin Kimmage 2009 Local Elections August 25, 2010


From the 2009 Local Elections a flyer from People Before Profit candidate Joan Collins running in the Crumlin-Kimmage Ward for Dublin City Council.
Having been initially elected on an Anti Bin Tax ticket in 2004, she increased her percentage of the vote and was comfortably elected.
She is tipped as having a decent chance of winning a seat at the next General Election.

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‘A Voice For Donnybrook’ -Tom Crilly, Angie Murphy -Workers Party- 1991 Local Elections


From the 1991 Local Elections a Leaflet from Workers Party Candidates Tom Crilly and Angie Murphy running in the Pembroke Ward. Crilly polled 486 votes and Murphy polled 321 votes, neither were elected.
The leaflet is interesting in that it is very Green and in some respects ahead of the Greens at the time. For instance regarding water
“... We have campaigned for improved water catchment process, an integrated reservoir system, upgrading of mains…
Amongst other items mentioned are Smokeless coal, Tenants rights and the lack of recycling facilities.
We also learn that ‘the average house price in Dublin is a staggering £63,000‘.

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Marian White Leaflet -Workers Party -1991 Local Elections Blackrock August 19, 2010


From the 1991 Local Elections, a leaflet (the general one used by most WP candidates in that election) for Workers Party candidate Marian White running in Blackrock.
She narrowly missed out on a seat.
She stood subsequently for Democratic Left in the 1992 General Election in Dublin South and for Labour in the 1999 Local Elections in Blackrock but without gaining a seat.

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1970s Leaflet advertising ‘Labour Party Bounty Bonds’ August 18, 2010


First off many thanks to the sender.
From the early 1970s a Leaflet advertising ‘Labour Party Bounty Bonds’.
The aim of the Bonds were to “Help build a Strong Labour Party by supplying it with the sinews of war for the vital years up to the next General Election.
These bonds gave the owner a return of their investment after five years with an opportunity to win up to £50 in 20 Quarterly Draws over the five year period.

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‘South West Socialist’ -Mick Murphy Socialist Party -2007 GE Dublin South West


From the 2007 General Election in Dublin South West a bulletin entitled ‘South West Socialist’ issued by Socialist Party Candidate Mick Murphy.
Concentrating on issues such as Tallaght Hospital, Traffic and Transport policy.
Click on the images to enlarge

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“Water Charges and the EU Water Framework Directive” -Peoples Movement 2009 August 1, 2010


A leaflet I picked up from The Peoples Movement entitled “Water Charges and the EU Water Framework Directive“.
The Peoples Movement in part blames the EU for the prospective introduction of Water Charges.

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“Demand a democratic economy” – Connolly Youth Movement 2009 Leaflet July 26, 2010


A 2009 leaflet “Demand a democratic economy” from the Connolly Youth Movement.

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John Gilligan – Independent -2009 LE Limerick July 25, 2010


From the 2009 Local Elections in Limerick a leaflet for Independent candidate John Gilligan.
A former Lord Mayor of Limerick, Gilligan was first elected to the council in 1991. He has been an outspoken critic of the gangs in the City and has played a prominent role in protests against them.

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Leaflet for Eamon Gilmore -Workers Party – 1989 General Election Dun Laoghaire July 21, 2010


From the 1989 General Election a leaflet for then Workers Party Councillor Eamon Gilmore. There is also a request to vote for Prionsias De Rossa in the European Elections that were held on the same day.
Gilmore was elected as The Workers Party won 7 seats (a gain of 3). De Rossa was elected also.

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NAMA = welfare for the wealthy! -Leaflet from the Communist Party of Ireland 2009 July 18, 2010


A 2009 leaflet from the Communist Party of Ireland titled “NAMA = welfare for the wealthy!”.
NAMA “…is a case of Irish workers taking all the pain. The much talked about “sharing the pain” is nothing more than a ruse to cover a major attack on workers and their families, while the Rich and powerful, and their lackeys in the media and universities , remain firmly entrenched, retaining the control over economic and thereby political power.”
There is also an ad for the CPIs “An Economy For The Common Good” booklet.

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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

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Ted Tynan Newsletter-Workers Party 2004 Local Elections July 13, 2010


A  2004 Newsletter from Workers Party candidate in Cork North Central  Ted Tynan. He  won a seat in the 2009 Locals

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Stop Education Cuts- Teachers & Parents Unite , No To Fees -Workers Solidarity Movement 2009


A 2009 Leaflet against Education cuts and the introduction of third level fees from The Workers Solidarity Movement.

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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

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