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.
‘Knocklyon School’ – Ann Ormonde and Tom Kitt Leaflets from the 1997 General Election September 11, 2009
PEOPLE AND PLANET BEFORE PROFIT?
In recent weeks there has been much ado in certain circles about a new disgruntled ex Greens/People Before Profit Alliance.
But what would they call it?
….. was this 2002 Wicklow leaflet of the SWPs Catherine Kennedy a trial run?
“People and Planet Before Profit” anyone?
*Catherine stood for Sinn Fein in the 2009 Bray Town Council elections.
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)
Leaflet from Joe Higgins- Socialist Party – 1999 European Elections
Some of Joe’s literature from the 1999 Euros. If only we’d listened to him about “The outlawing of speculation in building land and profiteering in the housing market….” .
Its a sign of the times too that Joe wouldn’t be mentioning ‘GM foods’ much these days.
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.
Baby Faced Michael Martin, Batt O’Keefe, John Dennehy,Barry Cogan- Fianna Fail- Cork South Central 1987
This is from 1987 with a baby faced Michael Martin and a young Batt O’Keefe.
Result from ElectionsIreland.org
Click image for larger version.
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.
Mary Daly – Natural Law Party -1992 Dublin South Central
The Natural Law Party stood in Irish Elections (both North and South) during the 1990s. The attraction of solving the worlds issues via Yogic Flying never caught on with the electorate. This is Mary Dalys leaflet from the 1992 General Election (Mary Daly on ElectionsIreland.org)
Famously Paddy Seery of the NLP recieved 5 votes in the Birr Town Council elections of 1999, although had reached the grand total of 11 by the time he was eliminated.
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.
‘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.
Sinn Fein Recruitment Leaflet circa 1995
The 1994 IRA Ceasefire (which lasted 17 months) after a while saw the launch of a new recruitment drive by Sinn Fein.
This leaflet is from that period where Sinn Fein saw the first of the ‘Peace Dividend’ in the Local Elections of 1995.
Barnes, Barrett, Cosgrave -Fine Gael -Dun Laoghaire November 1982
Monica Barnes, Sean Barrett and Liam Cosgrave running for Fine Gael in the November 1982 General Election in Dun Laoghaire. All three were elected as Fine Gael took 3 seats, Barry Desmond a seat for Labour and David Andrews a seat for Fianna Fail.
The candidates pictures haven’t changed since Feb either, indeed some candidates used the same pictures for the three elections that were in quick succession.That Barnes, Barrett, Cosgrave ticket ran for five successive elections for Fine Gael in Dun Laoghaire. They all stood in the 1981 General election too, but Aine Elliot was also on the ticket.
Click on the images to enlarge.
‘He puts the Nation First’ -Fine Gael – Dun Laoghaire February 1982
From the second of the three elections held within 18 months a Fine Gael leaflet from Dun Laoghaire. The candidates were Monica Barnes, Liam Cosgrave and Sean Barrett.
‘He puts the Nation First’ was the slogan for that Election. In part a dig at Haughey.
The reasons surrounding the budget defeat are listed and Fine Gaels plans also.
‘Garret’ was also now on first name terms with the electorate. Since then…’Charlie’ ,’Bertie’ and not too many more.
Garrets message could apply almost word for word today.
Liam Cosgrave and Sean Barrett were both elected.
Click on images to see full size
Sean Dublin Bay Loftus -Independent- 1997 General Election -Dublin North Central
Alderman Sean, was elected to the Dail on just the one occassion in June 1981. Unluckily for him he lost his seat 8 months later at the Feb 82 election. He Stood in Dublin North Central.
This was just as the Tribunals had started and he is running on an ‘anti sleaze’ ticket. He makes some good observations in the manifesto.
For a period he was known as Sean Dublin Bay ‘Rockhall’ Loftus after a territorial dispute over Rockhall and its surrounding Waters.
Dan Boyle 2002 General Election Cork South Central
From the 2002 General Election a leaflet for Green Party candidate Dan Boyle who was elected in Cork South Central. Boyle polled 4,952 votes.
Flyer and specimen Ballot paper for Albert Reynolds -Fianna Fail- 1987 General Election Longford Westmeath
From the 1987 General Election a Flyer and Specimen Ballot paper for Fianna Fail candidate Albert Reynolds running in Longford-Westmeath. He topped the poll and was elected on the first count.
The specimen Ballot paper lists the candidates with Reynolds highlighted. ( Result from electionsireland.org)
Irish Election Literature 
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