A pre election Attack by an Albert led Fianna Fail on future coalition partners Labour. They attacked Labour a lot during that campaign… they must have seen the ‘Spring Tide’ coming.
Noel Whelan -Fianna Fail 1997 Dublin South East September 12, 2009
A young fresh faced, tight haired Noel Whelan as he runs for Fianna Fail in 1997. The now Irish Times columnist and political commentator failed in his attempt to win a seat in Dublin South East.
Will his then running mate be back running there again I wonder…
Another Larger more detailed Leaflet here
Litir Um Thoghchan – ‘as gaeilge’
Despite it being an official Language, you dont find too many Parties using our native tongue. (Although I do see some FF Lisbon posters in Irish). I’m not even sure we have ‘Litir Um Thoghchan’ too often anymore either.
Heres some rare enough examples that I have…. Pól Ó Foighil agus Fiachra Ó Céilleachair
John Gormley 1997- “A leader for our times”
At this stage from the policies the Greens had moved to a more practical viewpoint. The 1997 election is also when Gormley first won a Dail seat.
What I love about this though is that it includes gushing quotes from the media , “A leader for our times” is good but the best in hindsight has to be “Gormley has been credited with much of the Greens success” ….. and maybe their demise?
Pearse Wyse Letter to constituents announcing his retirement in 1992 September 11, 2009
A Letter from the late Pearse Wyse announcing his retirement to the electorate.
Pearse Wyse was one of the first Fianna Fail TDs to join the Progressive Democrats.
‘Knocklyon School’ – Ann Ormonde and Tom Kitt Leaflets from the 1997 General Election
This is just a simple illustration of how everyone claims to be the best person to get the job done.
From the 1997 General Election, both Fianna Fail candidates Tom Kitt and Ann Ormonde claim that they are the ones to get the school built.
Adrian Hardiman, Elizabeth Gregan, Betty Coffey,William Harvey- Fianna Fail 1985 LE Dun Laoghaire
From the 1985 local elections in Dun Laoghaire, Adrian Hardiman, Elizabeth Gregan, Betty Coffey and William Harvey all running for Fianna Fail.
The Adrian Hardiman is the now Judge Adrian Hardiman that was standing for Fianna Fail and who later had connections with the PDs.
(Theres quite a number of our current judiciary such as Pat McCartan, George Bermingham, Henry Abbott and Michael White who have also put themselves before the electorate in the past)
Cllr Tommy Reilly- The man who never stood.
This is an Ad from the Meath Echo asking voters to ‘Keep a Strong Voice in County Meath’…….. Funny thing…… Cllr Tommy Reilly never stood for Fianna Fail in the 2005 Meath by-election.
He had to bow out due to some rezoning and other shenanigans that came to light. In the end it was Shane Cassells who stood for Fianna Fail.
Martin Cullen- Progressive Democrats- Waterford 1987
A young Martin Cullen in 1987. Cullen had been an Independent councillor(as his father had been too) before joining the PDs.
Here in 1987 he was ‘A fighter for Waterford’ …….
Martin was, amongst other things, looking for ‘……a more Professional Dail with fewer TDs….’
He switched to Fianna Fail after the 1992 General Election.

Sean Kelly 1997 – Not the usual political portrait….
Normally candidates look happy , sometimes even serious as they try to project some form of gravitas from their pictures. They may even wear a fancy outfit or shiny suit . The airbrush is common as when some candidates call to the door they look a different person to that in the poster or flyer pictures…..
Not so Sean Kelly who stood as an Independent in Dublin South Central in the 1997 General Election. Sean, is not the height of fashion , looks more than grumpy and the dog doesn’t look thrilled to bits either.
He polled 125 votes.
From 1992 Albert Reynolds led Fianna Fails “Six Point Plan For National Progress”
From the 1992 General Election, The Six Point Plan For National Progress, produced by the Albert Reynolds Led Fianna Fail.
Republican Sinn Fein- NO to The Good Friday Agreement and NO to Amsterdam
A leaflet from Republican Sinn Fein opposing The Amsterdam Treaty and The Good Friday Agreement. Links the push to open Croke Park to the Agreement as well as offending Trinity College. It also gives RSFs federal Ireland proposal as well as much much more.
Leaflet from Diarmuid Coogan- NUI Seanad 1989
A Leaflet from Diarmuid Coogan an Ex UCD Student Union leader who ran for the Seanad in 1989.
‘Why There is No Alternative to Reconstitution’ -Workers Party Discussion Document February 1992 (pre DL split) September 10, 2009
‘Why There is No Alternative to Reconstitution’ a letter to members from Prionsias De Rossa and Seamus Lynch prior to the split with the Democratic Left.
Prionsias De Rossa and Seamus Lynch outline their case for changing the Party from Democratic Centralism to that of being member driven.
It’s language is very much of the dogmatic variety and spells out the direction they want the Workers Party to move in. It also indirectly makes reference to the existence and activities of the Official IRA mentioning ‘unlawful activities in the North’.
The split occurred after the special conference with 6 of the 7 TDs as well as a majority of the parties other elected representatives going off to form a group initially called ‘New Agenda’ which became the ‘Democratic Left’. The Workers Party continued on.




















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