From the 2007 General Election a Sorry I missed you type card from Brian Cowen and his team of canvassers.
I’d hazard that many people now would be sorry to have missed him too.
On the reverse are listed key achievements. Amongst these are the number of houses being built. In the year prior to 2007 the incredible total of 93,149 houses were built.
Unemployment is now at higher than 1997 levels.
Brian Cowen -Sorry I Missed You – 2007 General Election Laois- Offaly May 9, 2010
Bobby Sands -“Anti H-Block / Armagh Political Prisoner” – 1981 Fermanagh South Tyrone by election May 7, 2010
Poster and Leaflet for Hunger Striker, Bobby Sands who stood in the Fermanagh South Tyrone by-election held on the 9 April 1981. He won by 30,493 votes to 29,046 for the Unionist candidate Harry West.
The Hunger Strike centred around the “Five Demands”:
1. the right not to wear a prison uniform;
2. the right not to do prison work;
3. the right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;
4. the right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;
5. full restoration of remission lost through the protest
Bobby Sands died on the 5th of May 1981.
many thanks to the donor.
Green Alliance Membership form 1983 May 6, 2010
From 1983 a membership form for The Green Alliance/ Comhaontas Glas.
‘The Green Alliance/ Comhaontas Glas has adopted these seven principles by consensus.’
(at this stage the Party still made decisions by consensus)
1- The impact of society on the environment should not be ecologically disruptive.
2- Conservation of resources is vital to a sustainable society.
3- All political, social and economic decisions should be taken at the lowest effective level.
4- Society should be guided by self-reliance and co-operation at all levels.
5- As caretakers of the Earth, we have the responsibility to pass it on in a fit and healthy state.
6- The need for world peace overrides national and commercial interests.
7- The poverty of two-thirds of the world’s family demands a redistribution of the worlds resources.
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.
Out of The Ashes Arose The Provisionals -Republican Christmas Card April 30, 2010
A christmas card produced, I assume by the Republican movement or Sinn Fein. I think its from the 70s or early 80s.
Aside from the traditional ‘Nollaig faoi shean is faoi mhaise duit’ in the card there is also a quote from Marie Drumm.
‘We must take no steps backwards, our steps must be forward, for if we don’t our martyrs who died for you, for me, for this country, will haunt us for eternity’
Marie Drumm was a former vice president of Sinn Féin who was assinated whilst in hospital by Loyalists in 1976. She was also a commander in Cumann na mBan.
many thanks to the donor
‘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.
Gerry Adams -West Belfast 2010 Westminister Elections April 26, 2010
From the 2010 Westminster Elections, An election leaflet for Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams. There is a profile of Gerry Adams as well as a message from himself. The achievements of Sinn Fein in government are listed, as well as those by each Sinn Fein Minister.
Martin McGuinness has overseen capital expenditure projects like the new hospital in Enniskillen…
Conor Murphy has moved to increase investment in public transport….
Michelle Gildernew has bought in 7 million investment for small family farms…
Cairriona Ruane has done what others for decades spoke about doing-ending the 11 plus ….
Gerry Kelly has taken the lead in ensuring an advocate for elderly people….
Many thanks to the sender.
Éirígí -‘Smash NAMA’ pamphlet advertising protest at Anglo Irish Bank.
From 24th April 2010, an Éirígí Smash NAMA pamphlet advertising a protest at Anglo Irish Bank. A number of Éirígí activists occupied the bank. It was the anniversary of the Easter rising. Many thanks to the donor
Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition – Yes to the Good Friday Agreement Flyer
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.
Green Cross and ‘Release all Our Political Prisoners’ Christmas Cards April 24, 2010
A Green Cross 1977 Christmas Card and another ‘Release all Our Political Prisoners’ Christmas Card from the Late Seventies.
Amongst the groups to benefit were Free The Casement Accused , Anti Extradition Committee, Campaign against Strip Searching, Campaign for Lifers, Voice of the Innocent, Irish Political Prisoners in Europe Solidarity Group and Committee for the Transfer of Irish Prisoners.
many thanks again to the donor.
‘Support the Hunger Strike Demands’ Sticker – National H-Block Armagh Committee 1981 April 22, 2010
A sticker issued by The National H-Block Armagh Committee during the 1981 Hunger Strike urging people to ‘Support The Hunger Strike Demands’. These stickers, black flags, posters of the Hunger Strikers and black armbands were commonplace at the time.
These demands were
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.
Many thanks to the donor
1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis -Discussion Paper on Public Service (Public Sector Reform) April 12, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis, held in Cork, a Discussion Paper on ‘Public Service’. It looks like an attempt at what is now a buzzword 25 years later, Public Sector reform.
The paper was divided into three main areas
-The development and management of the public service.
-Public service employment
-Public service pay
Included are measures to reduce public service numbers by 5000 by 1987, some items on how the public service
deal with new technology,Staff development, a unit to design forms, promotion, Appointment schemes, Staff Exchanges and performance Appraisals.
It would be interesting to see what has been carried out.
Nicky Kehoe, Aine Ni Ghabhann- Sinn Fein -2004 LE Cabra Glasnevin April 11, 2010
A fairly glossy and detailed newsletter for Sinn Fein Cabra Glasnevin candidates Nicky Kehoe and Aine Ni Ghabhann for the 2004 local Elections.
Lots of local issues covered as well as a message from Gerry Adams, profiles of the candidates and a profile of European Elections Candidate Mary Lou McDonald.
Sinn Feins Proposals For Dublin are also there, abliet as ‘PProposals’.
Discussion Paper on Dail Reform from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis. April 8, 2010
A Discussion Paper on Dail Reform from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
It is sparse enough in detail, but still indicates how the Dail has changed in the last 25 years.
Things like being Televised, Private Members Bills, The Oireachtas Committee system being established and so on.
Discussion paper on Energy from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis April 6, 2010
A discussion paper on Energy from the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis .
Not the most riveting of material but interesting nonetheless.
Part of it is taken up with the then flowing new Natural Gas from Kinsale. A few memories are jogged in the fact that the UK government rejected plans to ‘supply Northern Ireland.
Details are also given regarding the level and nature of oil/gas exploration of our coast.
There is no mention of giving it all away for free.
Terry Kelleher -Socialist Party -2009 LE Balbriggan
From the 2009 Local Elections in Balbriggan, a leaflet from Socialist Party candidate Terry Kelleher.
Terry Kelleher was running for both Fingal County Council and Balbriggan Town Council. He was elected to Balbriggan Town Council.
He is pictured here with Cllr Clare Daly.
Irish Workers League – No to The Common Market Leaflet 1961 April 3, 2010
I was sent this by a kind reader who notes…
‘…. information leaflet from 1961. It’s a No to the Common Market leaflet, and it was produced by the Irish Workers League, which was the Southern communist organisation at that time – the other grouping being the Communist Party of Northern Ireland. both merged in 1970 to form the CPI.’
It is an interesting enough read telling what would come to pass were we to join the then ‘Common Market’ and giving an Alternative Irish Economy. The EU of today which has no restriction on the flow of capital, goods or labour between member countries’ has come to pass. The effect of Ireland joining as spelt out also came true in areas such as ‘A serious weakening of the position of State industries’, ‘The wiping out of a large section of Irish Industry’ and emigration flourished for 25 years after our initial membership.
Booklet for Attendees at 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Cork. April 1, 2010
From the 1985 Fine Gael Ard Fheis held in Cork. Which was located in Cork to complement the Cork 800 celebrations.
This is the booklet delegates were sent prior to the event (or indeed at the event). I also have a copy of the pack on Motions and policies debated at the Ard Fheis but it is rather large.
In 1985 Fine Gael were in Government.
Some lovely things here. The Neptune Stadium is ‘at most a 20 minute walk’ from City Hall is a bit like all these new estates that were described on the blurb as ’20 minutes from Dublin’.
Extra Pay Phones were installed for the event. The ‘Bed Bureau for delegates’ run by the Cork Kerry Tourism Organisation almost sound dirty.
We have a map of Cork with the one way system marked by arrows and looking very confusing. The Social events included a fashion of the time a ‘Chicken supper’.
The now deceased delegate who gave me this, had ticked off the events they wanted to attend. There were then lists of the panels for election to The National Executive. With the last pages being taken up by amendments to Fine Gael Constitution and Rules.
Irish Election Literature 
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