IT’S BEEN QUITE a year of news.

The realities of Brexit came to the fore, the wrath of Storm Ophelia prompted an unprecedented State reaction, a number of terror attacks around the world shocked us, and the bravery of those in the most difficult of circumstances gave us all hope.

Here’s a recap of the ups and downs of 2017, told in a series of some of the most striking images from the year.

55 years after the Siege of Jadotville, Thomas Cunningham is presented with An Bonn Jadotville at a ceremony in Athlone this December. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Jockey Donagh Meyler takes a fall during the Randox Health Grand National on Grand National Day at Aintree Racecourse (April). Niall Carson via PA Images Niall Carson via PA Images

Far-right protesters march through the University of Virginia campus with torches in Charlottesville, Virginia on 11 August. PA Images PA Images

Luke Donnelly surfs off the Dublin coastline, hours before Storm Ophelia hits. Gerry Andrews Gerry Andrews

A refugee takes an outdoor shower in -20 degrees in Serbia, where there are very poor conditions for migrants. Danilo Balducci via PA Images Danilo Balducci via PA Images

A view of the main stage at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival during a performance by 'Big & Rich' - just a few hours before the deadly Las Vegas shooting in October. James Atoa via PA Images James Atoa via PA Images

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness is carried into the Bogside, March 2017. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

A military parade is held to mark the National Day in Doha, capital of Qatar, 18 December. Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

The Sacred Heart Catholic church in Dunlewey, Co Donegal stands brave against the snow-frosted backdrop of the Poisoned Glen. Purple Peak Adventures Purple Peak Adventures

Crowds look at the floral tributes after a minute's silence in St Ann's Square, Manchester, to remember the victims of the terror attack in May this year. Ben Birchall via PA Images Ben Birchall via PA Images

ROSA activists dressed as handmaids pass by anti-abortion protesters outside Leinster House in September. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

People gather around a makeshift memorial on top of the Joan Maro mosaic in Las Ramblas, where 13 people were killed and 80 wounded in a terror attack in August. Matthias Oesterle via PA Images Matthias Oesterle via PA Images

A special moment between Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and his father Miko as he shows him the Liam McCarthy after Galway's victory in September. Morgan Treacy / Inpho Morgan Treacy / Inpho / Inpho

Firefighters rest as they take a break in battling the massive Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June. Matt Dunham via PA Images Matt Dunham via PA Images

Coilte firefighters look on as a helicopter water bombs a gorse fire outside Pontoon in Co Mayo. Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

Rohingya refugee Dillnewaz, aged 4, in her shack at the Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh (December). AAP / PA Images AAP / PA Images / PA Images

A young fan, dejected, after ireland loses the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Niall Carson via PA Images Niall Carson via PA Images

A Mexican girl, wearing a colorful feather headgear inspired by Aztecs, takes part in the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

President Michael D Higgins with his dog Bród listen to piper Cormac Keegan at Aras an Uachtaráin. Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie

Waves crash into the sea wall at Seaham Harbour as Scotland and the North of England were covered in a blanket of snow in January this year. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood helps emergency services attend to a police officer who was stabbed outside the Palace of Westminster (March). PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

Mount Sinabung spews ashes seen from Tiga Pancur village in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on 17 October. Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Conor McGregor during their fight in Las Vegas, August. PA Wire PA Wire

New Orleans Saints players kneel down before the national anthem in the NFL International Series match against the Miami Dolphins. October. UPI / PA Images UPI / PA Images / PA Images

The three violins, made in commemoration of three English war poets who met at the golf club in 1917, were played together for the first time in October. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Read: Here are 9 stunning entries to Sony’s photography competition

Pictures: Parts of Ireland were a little snowed under today