In Pictures: A selection of classic images from the Laois-Offaly 2011 General Election count

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 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 3

Candidates 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 Count 

The long delay on day 3 of the General Election 2011 

Returning officer Verona Lambe (centre) assisted by Declan Byrne, Laois County Council and Elizabeth Sharkey, returning officer Westmeath checking votes on day 3 

Out for the recount….The count staff getting weary on day 3 

Returning 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 3 

Two Fine Gael TDs, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and Charlie Flanagan

Brian Stanley TD wiht his granddaughter Leah Houlihan after his election

Brian Stanley TD is raised aloft by supporters after being elected 

Sean 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 eliminated

Sean Fleming TD celebrates with supporters and family 

The final countdown as the final votes are counted 

Deirdre and Paddy Dowling; Frances Berry and Matt Moore

Liam 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 Fleming 

Brian Cowen with brother Barry Cowen Fianna Fail and Mary Cowen

Brian Cowen with brother Barry Cowen Fianna Fail

Patsy Cleere, Clough, Co Laois; Ciaran O’Meara, Portlaoise and Leo Fleming, Sandyford, Dublin

John Moloney, Fianna Fail, in discussion with Dolorren Brereton, Daingean 

Portlaoise Town Cllr. and candidate Rotimi Adebari 

Sinn Fein members brought their own lunch 

Former Fianna Fail TD and MEP Paddy Lalor, Abbeyleix working on the tally

Counting underway in the Laois/Offaly General Election Count at the Count Centre, Ballincollig Retail Park, Tullamore.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Counting 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 Gael 

Labour candidate John Whelan discusses with Niall Kavanagh, Margaret Guijt-Lawlor and David Whelan

Brian Cowen under the media spotlight 

John Hyland and Johnny Dalton

Fianna Fáil’s Willie Murphy and Pat Malone send out the news as boxes are opened 

Counting underway on Saturday at the Laois/Offaly General Election 2011 Count Centre in Tullamore.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Fianna Fail stalwarth Liam Hyland who broke his arm during a fall while canvassing settles in for the long count

Margaret Cordial and Mary Walsh 

Padraig Fleming (Fianna fail) with Georgina Moran (Fine Gael) 

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.

SEE ALSO – Check out all of the 2020 General Election coverage on LaoisToday

The post In Pictures: A selection of classic images from the Laois-Offaly 2011 General Election count appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/01/27/in-pictures-a-selection-of-classic-images-from-the-laois-offaly-2011-general-election-count/