A Trip back on Election Friday Favourite

Northern Ireland education Minister, Martin McGuinness pictured with Sinn Féin supporters, from left: John Breen, Castleisland; Denis O’Regan, Ballymacelligott and Michael Broderick, Brosna at the 2002 General Election count at the Brandon Hotel, Tralee. ©Photograph: John Reidy 18/05/2002

After the FF break: Cllr. Jackie Healy Rae casting his vote in his first Dáil election at Kilgarvan National School on the morning of the 1997 election. The rest is history. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-6-1997

Out and out Fianna Fáil supporters, Jean Horgan (left) and Mary Brennan pictured on the 1989 General Election polling day outside the Castleisland Boys’ National School. That’s FG supporter, Jimmy Kearney’s hand holding, for devilment, the ‘Vote 1 Deenihan’ plackard in the background. ©Photograph: John Reidy 15-6-1989

For those of you not yet fed up to the gills with elections and politics – and many of the canvass-weary politicians are by now – have a look through our Election Friday Favourite this week.

It’s quite a random selection from files going back over the past couple of decades and I thought our readers might enjoy the political pot pourri that it represents.

In spite of what you think of them and their parties do spare a thought for those going up for election today. It takes great courage on their part. It is a blood sport and I’ve witnessed scenes of great joy at the counts over the years. And believe me I seen lots of the very opposite too as candidates, staring defeat in the face, try to hold themselves together for the inevitable interviews and photographs.

I certainly can’t help but have pity for them – but that’s not something our cameras take into consideration as they search out the highs and lows of these occasions at our promptings.