FIANNA FÁIL IS holding its annual Ard Fheis in Dublin this weekend.

In some ways, not a lot changes at annual conferences. There’s always going to be gossip, elections, fundraising, networking, drinking and campaigning.

But as these leaflets from Fianna Fáil’s 1980 Ard Fheis show, some things really have changed.

This flyer for the ‘Disco Dance’ on the Saturday night of that year’s conference has Larry Gogan at the top of the bill (spinning the decks, we assume) followed by the Tom Allen Band. There’s also a draw for the raffle, which has some pretty amazing prizes.

The first prize at the raffle is an all expenses paid seven day tour of European capital cities, including Paris, Brussels, Strasbourg and Bonn, while the second prize is a slightly less exotic three day visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.  Fancy!

Thanks to Irish Election Literature for sending this our way.

Click on the images to view them full size.

If you’re in the mood for all things retro and Fianna Fáil, this leaflet is filled with  people standing for the ‘Committee of 15‘ within the party at the 1980 Ard Fheis – including a young Willie O’Dea, the late Dr Patrick Tubridy, father of Ryan Tubridy, and Mary O’Rourke.

Irish Election Literature also has this list from the programme for the 1980 Ard Fheis which gives prices for hotels which are available – including the Burlington for £12 per night, the Gresham for £10,99 per person, and Jury’s in Ballsbridge for £11.90 per person.

All images from Irish Election Literature. For more treasures from the history of Irish politics, check out the full site.

Read: Here’s Ardal O’Hanlon’s student election leaflet from 1985 >