IT’S BEEN A hell of a year.
From the general election in February, through the 1916 Centenary celebrations and the European Championships and Olympics, to the Dublin Bus and Luas strikes – Ireland has had quite the time of it in 2016.
Needless to say there’s been a lot to keep us busy (without even getting into the international stuff).
So here are 25 of the best Irish news photographs taken in 2016.
Labour candidate Alan Kelly is hoisted into the air as he celebrates being elected during the General Election count on 28 February.
The Defence Forces come to the rescue: Private Christopher Connors of the 6th Battalion, mans the pumps and sandbags on 4 January after the River Shannon burst its banks and flooded Athlone.
People walking on Luas tracks in the rain on the way to work after industrial action ground the service to a halt on 4 May.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny shakes hands with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin during the state religious ceremony to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising on Sunday 24 April.
Paul and Gary O’Donovan celebrate winning a silver medal in rowing with father Teddy and brother David O’Donovan in the Rio 2016 Olympics in August.
Fallow deer clash antlers during rutting season in Phoenix Park on 18 October.
Solicitor Michael Finucane speaking to the media at a protest after a student found guilty of false imprisonment of Joan Burton TD during the Jobstown protest of 2014.
Private Thomas Carew is greeted by his grandmother Esther at Dublin airport on 17 November, as the 53rd Infantry Group return to Ireland following a six-month deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Commandant Pat O’Connor of the Irish Defence Force holds a copy of the Proclamation outside the GPO as part of the 1916 Easter Rising centenary commemorations in Dublin on 27 March.
Protesters float a balloon highlighting the 13 billion Apple tax ruling during a water charges protest on 17 September.
Armed gardaí and the Criminal Assets Bureau carrying out searches on homes and businesses in Dublin on 9 March.
Former Drugs Minister Aodhan Ó Riordáin at the RDS as he loses his Dáil seat during the General Election on 1 March.
Dublin chefs Andrew Rudd, left, of Medley and Temple Garner of San Lorenzo pictured with Paschal Donohoe.
Mourners arrive for the funeral of crime gang victim Gareth Hutch at the Holy Family Church on Aughrim Street Dublin on 3 June.
Kate O’Connell from Fine Gael kisses her husband Morgan after being elected as a TD on 28 February.
Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan speaks to the media regarding the possible strike by gardaí before it was called off on 3 November.
Members of the Citizens Assembly meet meet for the first discussions on 15 October.
Robbie Brady jumps the advertising hoarding at the end of the game after upsetting Italy to advance to the knockout stage of the European championships on 22 June.
Kai Donohoe and Emily O Connoll joining an alternative Citizens Assembly entitled Which Witch Gets a Choice? and calling for a Repeal of the 8th Amendment of the Constitution on 26 November.
Diarmuid Breatnach from the Save Moore Street group addresses people fighting for full restoration of the last buildings used by the 1916 Rising leaders, on Dublin’s Moore Street, after protesters occupied them on 8 January.
US vice-president Joe Biden greets crowd members after delivering a keynote speech in the grounds of Dublin Castle as part of his six-day visit to Ireland on 24 June.
LGBT communities join in a rainbow vigil at Barnardo’s Square to express solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando nightclub mass shooting.
Ireland’s Michael Conlan following his controversial defeat to Vladimir Nikitin of Russia in the on 16 August.
Dublin Bus workers celebrate after winning the Lotto jackpot on 7 July.
Irish cyclists Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal react as they are informed that they have won gold in the Women’s B Time Trial at the Pontal Cycling Road during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on 14 September.
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