Brian Stanley TD with his granddaughter Leah Houlihan after his election at the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.
There’s something so classicly timeless about election count photos.
And even though it’s only nine years ago, the photos from the 2011 Laois-Offaly General Election count are a real trip back in time.
John Whelan’s excellent Election Memories piece (when he was a candidate himself for Labour) on LaoisToday on site gave a taste of some of those images.
But we’ve dug out more since. And boy was Alf Harvey on top of his game over those three marathon days of counting.
It was, as John Whelan wrote, an election like no other.
It was the end of Brian Cowen’s political career as he passed the baton on to his brother Barry after 27 years in the Dáil and the last three as Taoiseach.
It was the end, too, for Fianna Fáil’s John Moloney as he lost the seat he had held since 1997.
Moloney was one of the many Fianna Fáil casualties as they left Leinster House that spring with 77 TDs and came back with just 20.
Sean Fleming was one of the FF survivors but Brian Stanley was the big breakthrough success for Sinn Féin while Charlie Flanagan was returned comfortably too and it was a first success for Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy for Fine Gael as she took the seat held for the previous nine years by Olwyn Enright.
In all there were three new TDs for the constituency as Barry Cowen, Corcoran-Kennedy and Stanley replaced Brian Cowen, Olwyn Enright and John Moloney.
We’ve delved into the archives and gathered up a selection of great Alf Harvey images.
No doubt you’ll recognise many of the younger faces.
Outgoing Junior Minister John Moloney (Fianna Fail) with Barry Cowen as he is eliminated on the 11th count on day 3 of the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.Outgoing Junior Minister John Moloney (Fianna Fáil) as he is eliminated on the 11th count on day 3Candidates and representatives meet with Returning officer Verona Lambe on day 3 of the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore, almost 24 hours since the recount started.
John Moloney and Charles Flanagan watch on on day 3 of the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly CountThe long delay on day 3 of the General Election 2011Returning officer Verona Lambe (centre) assisted by Declan Byrne, Laois County Council and Elizabeth Sharkey, returning officer Westmeath checking votes on day 3Out for the recount….The count staff getting weary on day 3Returning officer Verona Lambe (centre) assisted by Declan Byrne, Laois County Council; Ruth McNally Offaly County Council and Elizabeth Sharkey, returning officer Westmeath checking votes on day 3Two Fine Gael TDs, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and Charlie FlanaganBrian Stanley TD wiht his granddaughter Leah Houlihan after his electionBrian Stanley TD is raised aloft by supporters after being electedSean Fleming TD is raised aloft after being re-elected at the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore.
Independent candidate John Foley is eliminatedSean Fleming TD celebrates with supporters and familyThe final countdown as the final votes are countedDeirdre and Paddy Dowling; Frances Berry and Matt MooreLiam Quinn, Fine Gael, with supporters after requesting a recount having lost out by 26 votes in the Laois/Offaly Generl Election Count at Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brian Cowen studies the tally with Cllr. Padraig Fleming brother of Sean FlemingBrian Cowen with brother Barry Cowen Fianna Fail and Mary CowenBrian Cowen with brother Barry Cowen Fianna FailPatsy Cleere, Clough, Co Laois; Ciaran O’Meara, Portlaoise and Leo Fleming, Sandyford, DublinJohn Moloney, Fianna Fail, in discussion with Dolorres Brereton, DaingeanPortlaoise Town Cllr. and candidate Rotimi AdebariSinn Fein members brought their own lunchFormer Fianna Fail TD and MEP Paddy Lalor, Abbeyleix working on the tallyCounting underway in the Laois/Offaly General Election Count at the Count Centre, Ballincollig Retail Park, Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.Charlie Flanagan tops the poll for Fine GaelLabour candidate John Whelan discusses with Niall Kavanagh, Margaret Guijt-Lawlor and David WhelanBrian Cowen under the media spotlightJohn Hyland and Johnny DaltonFianna Fáil’s Willie Murphy and Pat Malone send out the news as boxes are openedCounting underway on Saturday at the Laois/Offaly General Election 2011 Count Centre in Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.Fianna Fail stalwart Liam Hyland who broke his arm during a fall while canvassing settles in for the long countMargaret Cordial and Mary WalshPadraig Fleming (Fianna fail) with Georgina Moran (Fine Gael)
Paul Fetherstonhaugh who was the assistant returning officer in 2011. He will be the Returning Officer at the Laois-Offaly count in Portlaoise which gets underway on Sunday, February 9.Barry Cowen with Ger ConnollyOut for the recount….The count staff getting weary on day 3 of the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.The long delay on day 3 of the General Election 2011 Laois/Offaly Count at the count centre in Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.
John Whelan and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan see the lighter side of it at the 2011 count.Charlie Flanagan tops the poll for Fine Gael at the Laois/Offaly General Election Count at the Count Centre, Ballincollig Retail Park, Tullamore. Picture: Alf Harvey.
