RTÉ Coverage of General Elections - 1977 General Election

1977 General Election

The election for the 21st Dáil Éireann resulted in Fianna Fáil winning with the largest majority ever gained by one party. Jack Lynch was returned as Taoiseach. Whereas in 1973, Liam Cosgrave and Fine Gael had begun to recognise the importance of the media, and especially television, Fianna Fáil would fully embrace the media for the 1977 General Election. Seamus Brennan, Fianna Fáil general secretary, spent time in America watching the Democrats during the presidential race. On his return, Fianna Fáil launched an election campaign that involved motor cavalcades, television advertising, billboard posters and the release of a record.

RTÉ News followed Jack Lynch for three days as he covered over a thousand miles on the campaign trail.

Meeting the people, he discusses the price of fish fingers and appeals to the thousands of young people who would be voting for the first time since the voting age had been reduced to 18.

"We're more than just statistics in black official ink.
We've got our pride and feelings, they are stronger than you think.
We need the kind of country where we can make our way.
That's why I am voting for a change on this election day."

So went the song, "Your Kind Of Country" sung by Colm C.T. Wilkinson and released by Fianna Fáil in 1977.

On "Election '77 Special", Eoin Ryan, director of elections for Fianna Fáil, explains his hopes that the song would get young people interested in the election. Richie Ryan and Seamus Scally, the directors of elections for Fine Gael and Labour, are not impressed with Fianna Fáil's attempts to get into the charts. 

Brian Farrell interrupts an interview with Michael O'Leary to go live to the Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave who concedes that there will be a new government. The Taoiseach's early acceptance of defeat in the election was reflected by the nature of the results, with Fianna Fáil taking 84 seats, Fine Gael 43 seats and Labour 17.

Breandán Ó hÉithir reports live from Galway amidst the chaos of jubilant Fianna Fáil supporters awaiting Dr Bill Loughnane's re-election.