Dr Ciara Meehan explains the history of election posters, with some examples of Cumann na nGaedheal posters from the 1920’s and 1930’s.
I’ve some of the posters mentioned in the clip on the site along with other Cumann na nGaedheal material here
From 1992 a Leaflet from Let Live Crusade- “Vote for Life – not for death!” Vote No – No – No November 18, 2012
From the 1992 Referendum on Abortion, The Right to Travel and The Right to Information, a Leaflet from Let Live Crusade- “Vote for Life – not for death!” Vote No – No – No. The leaflet also mentions the General Election that was held the same day.
The contact for the group was a Priest, Fr Leonard Coughlan in Church Street, Dublin 7.
1992 Referendum Leaflet from Youth Defence /Pro Life Movement urging a No vote against Travel, Information and Abortion
From the 1992 Referendums on the Right to Travel, Right to Information and Abortion a Leaflet from Youth Defence /Pro Life Movement urging a No vote against all three.
Its interesting to see the arguments against Travel and Information.
More Abortion related leaflets
From 1992 The Government Information Leaflet Referendums on “The Right to Life, Travel and Information” November 17, 2012
From The 1992 Referendums Campaign, The Government Information Leaflet Referendums on “The Right to Life, Travel and Information”
I’ve uploaded it in pdf here or click on the image to launch.
1992 Abortion Referendums leaflet from the “Alliance for Choice” November 16, 2012
From the 1992 Abortion Referendum Campaign a leaflet from the “Alliance for Choice”. The leaflet urges a No vote on the Abortion Referendum, and a Yes vote for the right to travel and a Yes vote for the right to information.
Labour Youth and Young Fine Gael were amongst the members of the Alliance.
From the 1983 Referendum “Can Abortion Ever Save The Mother’s Life? ….No” November 15, 2012
From the 1983 Abortion Referendum Campaign a Leaflet “Can Abortion Ever Save The Mother’s Life? ….No”
A rather unusual spoilt vote …. “… Ctulhu shall rise from the sunken city of R’yLeh and Simply devour his opponents”
A vote for Ctulhu with the text “Irrelevant, Ctulhu shall rise from the sunken city of R’yLeh and Simply devour his opponents” from the Lisgoold/Leamlara Community Council Election 2012.
I reckon (after a bit of searching) that the voter was a fan of the writer H. P. Lovecraft
Many Thanks to the sender.
“No More Deaths Abortion Rights Now! #Savita ” leaflet from the SWP
A “No More Deaths Abortion Rights Now! #Savita ” leaflet from the SWP given out at the protest outside the Dail after the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar.
A ‘Vote Fine Gael’ Sticker from the 1981 General Election
From the 1981 General Election A ‘Vote Fine Gael’ Sticker .
“Abortion Rights Now!” Leaflet from the Socialist Party November 14, 2012
An “Abortion Rights Now!” Leaflet from the Socialist Party given out at the protest outside the Dail after the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar.
“Justice Now Legislate on X” Leaflet for protest Saturday 16.00 Parnell Square.
Following the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, A “Justice Now Legislate on X” Leaflet for a protest Saturday 17th November at 16.00 Parnell Square.
A pdf of this poster / leaflet is available here
“Children are not Pawns -Vote No” Leaflet from The Children’s Rights Referendum November 13, 2012
From the Children’s Rights Referendum Campaign, a rather scary leaflet “Children are not Pawns -Vote No” from a group called ‘Clan Na Gael’.
Many Thanks to the sender.
1982 Seanad Administrative Panel Leaflet from Brendan McGahon -Fine Gael
From the 1982 Seanad Election, held after the February 1982 General Election, a leaflet for Fine Gael candidate Brendan McGahon, who was running for a seat on the Administrative Panel. McGahon narrowly missed out on a seat but did win a seat a few months later in the November 1982 General Election. The sometimes outspoken TD held his Louth seat until his retirement in 2002. He is one of the few TDs that played League of Ireland football, as he did with Dundalk.
Many thanks to the sender.
Leaflet for a protest at SDCC offices Nov 12th from the Campaign Against The Household and Water Charges November 11, 2012
“Oppose Bullying letters! Keep up The Boycott”. A leaflet from the Campaign Against The Household and Water Charges publicizing a protest at South Dublin County Council offices Nov 12th at 5pm.
Card from Owen McGahon- Fine Gael -Dundalk No.1- 1945 Local Elections
From the 1945 Local Elections a Card from Owen McGahon (OB McGahon) who was running for Fine Gael in the Dundalk No. 1 ward.
His father, T.F. McGahon, was one of the inaugural members of Dundalk Urban District Council when it was created along with other Irish local authorities by the British Government in 1898. *source
His son was former Fine Gael TD Brendan McGahon.
Many thanks to the sender.
Children’s Rights Referendum Leaflet from Anne-Marie Dermody -Fine Gael November 9, 2012
A newsletter from Fine Gael Rathfarnham Councillor Anne-Marie Dermody looking for a Yes vote in the Children’s Rights Referendum. The leaflet also covers some local issues.
A Vote No. 1 Nail File from Fianna Fails Dick Roche
This has to be one of the oddest pieces of election ephemera I’ve come across. A nail file from Fianna Fails Dick Roche.
Dick Roche is running for Vice President of the ELDR and is incumbent.
many thanks to the sender.
“Are These The Rights Your Children Need?” -Vote No -Mayo Reform Movement
From a group called the Mayo Reform Movement an Ad urging a No Vote in the Children’s Rights Referendum.
Many thanks to the sender.
Irish Election Literature 
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