The thing that strikes me when reading this is …
Have the reasons to vote in favour actually happened and if they have ,have they made a positive difference?
are we any closer to a “..just and equal Europe for all”?
Labour Party- Yes to Amsterdam Treaty September 28, 2009
(Judge) Michael White- Workers Party- 1983 Dublin Central By-Election.
His last of four attempts at winning a Dail seat, the now Judge Michael White poses with Tomas McGiolla and Prionsias De Rossa. He polled a respectable 13% of the vote in the By-Election. He is one of a number of our judiciary that have electoral records, amongst them George Birmingham, Henry Abbott, Adrian Hardiman and Pat McCartan.
‘Workers and Unemployed Movement’ Meeting Poster 1985
This is a poster, I had at home, advertising a meeting to be held on the 12th September 1985 against the ‘Free’ State pay Freeze. A public sector pay freeze had been announced and the ‘Workers and Unemployed Movement’ had organised the meeting. During that period the North Star Hotel was a regular venue for such meetings, it appears to have fallen out of fashion these days. The Blue Tac marks in the corners are due to it being hung on my bedroom wall for a number of years.
The ‘Workers and Unemployed Movement’ was part of the Communist Party of Ireland (Marxist-Leninist). Attached also in the post is the cover of Marxist Leninist Weekly dated September 4th 1985 giving a background to the meeting. Many thanks to Conor for taking the time to get that and helping me link the CPI-ML with the meeting. Thanks also to the others that helped make the link between the ‘Workers and Unemployed Movement’ and the CPI-ML .
Ben Briscoe-Fianna Fail 1997- “No Posters”
Ben Briscoe was elected in 1997, despite according to this letter , not putting up posters on lamposts.
Gerry Brady, Mairead Byrne,Tim Cotter with Letter form Charlie McCreevey- Fianna Fail Celbridge LEA 1991
Charlie McCreevy sends a letter looking for support for the FF candidates in the area, Mairead Byrne,Tim Cotter and former TD Gerry Brady (husband of Aine Brady TD)
A flyer from Gerry Brady looking for the Toilets in Maynooth to be replaced (Weren’t they just knocked down in the end?) and saying there’d be no Road Tolls in Kildare.
Anti Traveller Leaflet from Tony Kelly -Fianna Fail – 1999 Local Elections- Dundrum September 27, 2009
‘Outspoken’ on the issue of Halting sites, Tony Kelly was elected in these 1999 local Elections for Fianna Fail in Dundrwum polling 1,108 votes. He lost his seat in 2004 and failed again in 2009.
Christian Solidarity Party- Paul O’Loughlin 2009
This is from the 2009 Dublin Central By-Election (He may well have stood elsewhere too.)… I love the way they are Anti Bin Tax .
Note too where the candidate mentions that he is the Nephew of Chief Justice Rory O’Hanlon!
1992 Progressive Democrat voter questionnaire
This is a Survey that was attached to the Progressive Democrat 1992 General Election manifesto. Some interesting questions and also interesting that the proceeds derived from telephone calls were going to the Rape Crisis Centre.
1997 General Election Leaflet from Michael D. Higgins -Labour -Galway West
From the 1997 General Election a leaflet from Michael D. Higgins running for Labour in Galway West. The leaflet sings the praise of the Rainbow and lists their achievements in Galway.
Socialist Student (Workers Party) – 1991
An Edition of Socialist Student from 1991. It was to be the “Autumn of Action”…. Features an article by Prionsias De Rossa “…I see no role for the Workers Party as another middle of the road populist party, trying to be all things to all people“…. He writes, Months before the Split.
A wonderful looking Super Hero called ‘Condoman’, alas we cant make out his full catchphrase. A Trip on “The Condom Train ” is advertised too.
The article on the condoms mentioned Student Referendums in Maynooth on the condom issue. These may well bring back memories to those who studied there at the time. It was always my regret that I never took one of the “Self Control -Not Condoms” posters to add to my collection…
Noel O’Hanrahan ‘Stop The Rot’ – Dublin North Central 1992 September 26, 2009
An unusual leaflet (and he had posters similar to the main picture around at the time too.) In 1992 he reckoned “.. by reducing expenditure on the border by 100 million pounds….creating 30,000 new jobs in Dublin from this saving…” Lots more good plans in the leaflet. Nice Dig at Taca in it too.
For his troubles Noel got 363 votes….. Still, its the picture at the front that makes it!
Sinn Fein Cork 1995-“Peace Through British Withdrawal” leaflet.
Pamphlet advertising a meeting in Cork in 1995. “Peace Through British Withdrawal”. Indicates Sinn Fein policy of the time , “Central to the resolution…. they will have to withdraw from our country….”
Michael Keating, Kevin Byrne -Fine Gael 1985 Local Elections.
This is from the 1985 local elections, A year later he defected to join the Progressive Democrats. He was the only Fine Gael TD to do so, although later on left the PDs and rejoined Fine Gael.
His reputation took a turn when in later years when, amongst other things, he made a settlement with the CAB over unpaid taxes and was also mentioned in a serious Fraud case.
Áine Ní Chonaill- Immigration Control Platform 2002 Dublin South Central. September 25, 2009
Áine Ní Chonaill was one of the first people to come out and publicly question immigration. The ICP is vehemently anti asylum seeker and felt that Ireland was easy for them to get Asylum.
These two leaflets are as vile as you will come across…. (In Ireland anyhow)
William Coughlan -Pembroke LEA 1985
This is one of the oddest looking leaflets I have. Not too many candidates have drawings of themselves on their leaflets. Coughlan polled 87 votes.
Olive Braiden -Fianna Fail -Euro 94 Dublin
Olive Braiden was a surprise choice to many as one of Fianna Fails 3 candidates in Dublin 1994. Widely known for her work with the Rape Crisis Centre she failed in her attempt for election.
The candidate is pictured with amongst others Maire Geoghan Quinn.
Fianna Fail Euro 94
The Fianna Fail manifestos for each Constituency in the 1994 European Elections. Amongst the Candidates, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Mark Killilea, Gerry Collins, Brian Crowley and Olive Braiden.
Irish Election Literature 
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