RTÉ Coverage of General Elections - 1969 General Election

1969 General Election

The 1969 General Election brought Fianna Fáil their fourth victory in a row. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both had first-time leaders: Jack Lynch and Liam Cosgrave respectively. "Let's Back Jack" was the slogan for the popular Lynch, who led Fianna Fáil to 74 seats and another term in government.

The influence of television on candidates and voters was beginning to emerge.  

1969 General Election - Canvassing at the Church Gates

During the 1969 General Election, television began to cover the campaign trail. Candidates had not yet developed television skills and were unsure of how they would appear to viewers. The current affairs programme "Seven Days" went to Kilbeggan where candidates campaigned at church and at a religious procession.

In this clip, Gerry Le Strange of Fine Gael uses the traditional approach of addressing mass-goers at the church gates.

Paddy Lenihan, a Dáil deputy since 1965 and father of Government Minister Brian Lenihan, canvassed in Kilbeggan and was joined here by reporter Bill O'Herlihy.

In this clip, Lenihan explains the importance of the traditional approach of addressing crowds outside churches and expresses his mild annoyance at being known as the father of Brian Lenihan.

Radio also recorded politicians as they campaigned at public meetings around the country.

Charles Haughey expresses concern at the "extreme policies of the left-wing intellectuals of the Labour Party".  Richie Ryan tells supporters in Rathmines that "...this latter-day Fianna Fáil party are a bullying intolerant group of blunderers".   Sean Dunne of Labour is concerned with the "utterly heinous record of this government in the matter of housing".

This clip from the 1969 results programme shows how viewers were kept up to date on incoming results by the teleprinter. The studio discussion is interrupted as the programme goes live to the Bolton Street count centre where Jim Tunney is elected for Dublin North West.