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Charlie Haughey in his Abbeville mansion in Kinsealy, 1982. (Image: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland)
CHARLES HAUGHEY SERVED three terms as Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland.
A fiercely popular politician, he was revered in many households across the country. State Papers released this year reveal just how well-loved he was as Irish residents responded to a leadership challenge against him within Fianna Fáil, as well as his win in the first of the year’s General Elections.
He received letters of support, as well as modest gifts, including prayer books, medals and masses.
A note from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and a subsequent response from the Taoiseach, reveals how a book on Dublin, a Dublin tie and a Dublin scarf “for your good wife” were gifted to Haughey after attending a lunch in honour of the Mayor of New York.
Most of the offerings kept in the 30-year State Papers were notes of encouragement – but some offered some home truths.
In this poignant letter (for it could have been written in 2012 as much as 1982), a woman writes of her initial distrust of the Taoiseach, as well as her disappointment that the abortion issue was being raised. Despite the criticism though, she offers her full support, love and respect.
For larger images, click here, here, here and here.
Another letter, dated 29 November 1982 had some advice for the Taoiseach as leader of the Fianna Fáil party:
Fianna Fáil needs reorganisation. It needs a new public image. It needs better management. It needs to identify openly with the cause of the underprivileged, the unemployed, the scientific future and with a new vision of the Irish nation. It does not needs a new leader.
Haughey’s defeat in the November 1982 came after the dissolution of the Dáil on 4 November. Fine Gael won and Garret Fitzgerald became Taoiseach once more. Not everyone was happy with the result. This is just two of many letters seen by TheJournal.ie in the 1982 files.
For larger image, click here.
For larger image, click here.
Prayers, medals and masses
For larger image, click here.
Another letter, dated 9 November 1982, details a woman's praying ritual. The author urges the Taoiseach to copy her.
I have a little prayer than has worked wonders for me and I say it for you and your party every day - it is - Jesus is lost, Jesus is found - 3 times and then 3 Hail Marys. Would you please try and say it each day whenever you get a chance (if you cannot I will say it on the double for you).
For larger image, click here.
See National Archives, ref number 2012/90/596
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While there were some who were fans of Charlie Haughey, there were others who from the start of his political career saw him for what he was: a corrupt, arrogant, stroke politician who was power-hungry in the extreme. Many of those were his constituents in Donnycarney, good working people who saw the gimmickery and cant which won him elections. He deigned to make appearances there at elections time, blaring music and slogans from his vehicles, handing out “gifts” like a bottles of a brand of perfume called Charlie, to the peasantry. So, less of the “fiercely popular” and “revered” stuff of your piece. Fianna Fáilers loved him, the thick and ignorant ones particularly, but the cute hoors too. I hope The Journal is not becoming part of the FF rehabilitation plan, like it seems RTE and Vincent Browne have.
Good comment . In fact there are still blind sheep following these fellows who actually believe them.isn’t that astonishing! Haughey was the greatest trickey not to mention womaniser of them all , and we’ve had some beauties. We are in a political trough which we won’t get out of for years
Like I have said before, unfortunately….
80% of people are idiots, so watch in horror as FF get back into power.
The media win elections.
and one thing that FF will never be short of is thick crooked hoors or out right crooks. Charlie is still widely admired and beloved by FF. What are the chances of Micheal Martin saying that Haughey was a thief, a gangster and that he left a poisonous legacy in Irish politics that is killing the country. Not a chance, Micheal Martin was a friend and admirer of Haughey and owes that cabal his rise to power. Until the cancer that is FF’s mindset and value system is destroyed, this country will always be at risk of another collapse.
Dear People of Ireland,
As a relative newcomer, I have many questions on several different topics. However, the most pressing is this…. After undinable evidence against Charlie Haughey, how is it that you permit yourselves to be lead down the same path again? Bertie was of the same fabric as Haughey. Yet it appears that the people of this country rather be swindled, cheated and lied to by thier own than a foreigner. The fact that no one is in jail or sanctioned proves this fact.
In addition, to my above query… How is that you permit tax dodgers, blatantly corrupt and sorely unqualified people run this country? Collecting salaries that are higher than the average American politician? Collecting two pensions?
One of the many mysteries of Irish life Marlon. Confuses the majority of natives here too.
Because this country has always been packed to the gills with gobsheens who worship cute hoors.
Thanks for your replies… Still I’ m seeking more comments from your fellow country man. An inquiring mind really would like to know (mine!)
marlon as a new-comer it may be hard for outsiders to understand but actually its very common across the globe where there was a civil war and ireland is no different .You had two sides as in most civil wars and it takes decades and many generations removed from the event to break down the old die hard tradtions that stem form the civil war.No matter how corrupt or inept there guy is the will always support him over the other guy as he is not on the side the fought for or belived in, hence the support base for both finna fail and fine gael and until all the people wake up and realise the civil war is over and we should bury both these parties with the people who fought and died in it.it will happen im sure, maybe the next generation will be unwilling to listen to their parents on who the should vote for and of course we have to offer them an alternative
Hi Declan!
This makes sense! Our history books tells us in the United States that the people who profited from the Civil War was called Profiteers. They took advantage of the breakdown of society, laws and the ambiguity of all once known. What pulled the country through the hardship was a sense of pride for the nation. It took about 50 years for America to become united. Yes the United States still have nay-sayers who would prefer the United States break up and become individual entities… But the folks are relatively few. And tbe pride to be an American is strong.
I don’t feel the same strength of pride exist here. There appears to be more pride focused at a sports team than this wonderful Republic of Ireland.
And all the while the profiteers of Ireland continue to take advantage of the seperation of mind.
I pray your optimism and beliefs materalize.
Any gift gave to you because you are a state employee. Belong to the state. If you did not hold that position you would not have got any of them. Simple as that.
Not true, if an item is gifted to an individual it is theirs and theirs alone. Most departments will allow gifting within financial limits (to the best of my knowledge) after which any public servant should be required to refuse the gift.
If we follow your logic it would lead to the expropriation of private property for state use. I know we have examples if this already, but they are limited in capacity and timeframe.
Hope it helps…
Sorry the above was in response to Michael O’Keeffe.
Do not any gift gave to a public servant ie TD ETC because of there position belong to the taxpayer public. And gifts gave to the UK Monarch belong to the people because she only got it because of her title.
After reading this title, i was disappointed that none of the things he was sent included loads of cash in brown sacks with dollar signs on them. Ansbacher my arse!
Do you think the queen would want them
Well done on missing the point.
Marlon, the irish are walkovers, always have been, always will be. Useless shower of cowards who cant stand up for their rights
Happy little bunny this morning Sinead!
From southern glens to Aston Shores,
The ancient cry of freedom roars,
From Northern hills to Leinster’s doors,
We’ll rise and follow Charlie.
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing as one,
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing along,
With Charlie’s song we’ll march along,
We’ll Rise and Follow Charlie.
Hail the leader, hail the man,
With Freedom’s cause it all began,
With Irish Pride in every man,
We’ll Rise and Follow Charlie.
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing as one,
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing along,
With Charlie’s song we’ll march along,
We’ll Rise and Follow Charlie.
Young and old we all approve,
He’s kept the Country on the move,
He’ll help the Nation to improve,
So Rise and Follow Charlie.
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing as one,
With Charlie’s song we’ll sing along,
With Charlie’s song we’ll march along,
We’ll Rise and Follow Charlie.
Good man
We must be the biggest shower or fools in the world to let it go on !, people were happy to vote FF when the promises and goodies were been handed out , so don’t complain now when the party has to be paid for , and for a long time to come
The only good thing that he did in his life was leave it.
hi marlon your spot on with with the stuff you said, again it goes back to the civil war and the continuing fighting in the north of ireland when acts of national pride or flying of the tri-colour was seen as bad and you were asscocatied with beening a paramilatary so the only out let for national pride was a sports team. i notice we got loads of dislikes ,these must be the same ppl who vote for michael lowry, the healy raes and all the other tds and councilors who were named in the mahon and moriarty reports . i spoke the truth why else or how else can any one explain the fact that even after being exposed as corrupt the get voted back in???
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