Evidently the politicians, both those who succeed in getting into the Dail and those who fail, like to have their little "flutter" on the results of elections. I was told the other day by one who has been an unsuccessful candidate once or twice that at every general election, particularly in the Dublin city constituencies, there has been a sweep organised on the result.
Every candidate pays a fixed sum, usually half-a-crown, into the pool, and the person drawing the first preference takes the lot. In Dublin constituencies, with twenty or more candidates, the pool is usually over two pounds - which does not quite cover election expenses.
My friend told me of a very unusual occurrence at one of these "sweeps" in the 1923 election in Dublin City. All the candidates were in it, but one of the very unsuccessful candidates actually succeeded in drawing himself in the sweep. As he figured far down on the list, this was the only mark of distinction that he had for his £100 deposit.
The Irish Times, February 9th, 1931.