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.
Cllr Tommy Reilly- The man who never stood. September 11, 2009
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.
Irish Shipping Workers- NO! to Fine Gael and Labour Candidates -1987 General Election. September 9, 2009
This is from the 1987 General Election Campaign where Irish Shipping Workers were asking people to Vote against Fine Gael and Labour Candidates
The closure of Irish Shipping was( and still is) the cause of much controversy. The Workers were treated with incredible contempt and having worked on ships myself with some of the ex-workers the feeling of unjustness lives on.
Ruairi Quinn -Lets Make Ireland Work- 1992 GE
A Ruairi Quinn leaflet from 1992 . As often is the case for Dublin South East the Pigeon House is in the background.
E-Voting Election Leaflets and ‘Electronic Voting Its Easy’ Pamphlet
These are interesting in that they are related to elections conducted by e-voting.
Joe Reilly gives a sample Ballot paper and instructions on how to use the machines.
Whilst Mary Wallace wants you to ‘Press the right Button’
And while we’re at it, the e-voting pamphlet that was sent out to each household in e-voting areas.
Leaflet from Christine Buckley -Independent- Dublin South 1997
Christine Buckley from Dublin South 1997 .
The horrific abuse carried out in Goldenbridge Orphanage came to light via the ‘Dear Daughter’ RTE documentary, which told Christine Buckleys story. She became central to the fight for recognition of the abuses that were carried out in State Institutions. … that eventually led to the Ryan Report and the more recent Murphy Report.
This is from 1997 , so is pre the ‘States of Fear’ documentary which was another in a series of catalysts for the Church and State to admit their guilt.
She polled 1,268 votes.
Mary Harney – Progresive Democrats – 1989 European Elections
Mary Harney in the 1989 European Elections….
‘She has the courage to stand up for what is right’
‘She Champions the cause of the weak and underprivileged’
‘An outspoken critic of wrongdoing’
.

John Kelly – Fine Gael – Dublin South -1987 General Election
From the 1987 General Election in Dublin South, Fine Gael candidate the late John Kelly. John Kelly served as a Minister and was also known for his wit and oratorial skills. First elected in 1973, he retained his seat in 1987, however this was his last election campaign and he retired in 1989.
A 2004 Clifford T Reid – ‘Stop The Paedophiles’ Election Flyer
From the 2004 Euro Elections a leaflet for Independent candidate Clifford T Reid. A fairly eye catching slogan, which had posters all around Leinster.
He polled 10,692 votes.
He since appeared on the RTE show Beyond Endurance where the volunteers in the show went to Antarctica to retrace some of Shackleton and Tom Creans footsteps.
Flyer for Eamon Gilmore -Democratic Left -1997 General Election
An Eamon Gilmore Flyer from the 1997 General Election when he was running for the Democratic Left in Dun laoghaire.
‘New Agenda’ (post Workers Party pre Democratic Left) -Eamon Gilmore, Colm Breathnach and Denis O’Callaghan Letter. September 8, 2009
This is a letter Sent by Eamon Gilmore, Colm Breathnach and Denis O’Callaghan post 1992 Workers Party Split. It outlines the policies and aims of the group. Polices look like those of The Workers Party but without the Democratic Centralism.
The breakway group were initailly called ‘New Agenda’ and contested the 1992 Westminister Elections under that name. However the name didn’t last long and the party called then itself ‘The Democratic Left’, which itself joined the Labour Party in 1998.





























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