2024 in pictures: Politics frames the debate as the country went to the polls

Sat, 28 Dec, 2024 - 19:43

Voters in Ireland were busy in 2024, casting their ballot in five different polls – for two referendums in March, local and European ballots in June and a general election in November.

The Assembly returned in the North after a long hiatus and a Westminster election also took place.

The country’s political comings and goings were further punctuated by an emotional announcement in March from Leo Varadkar that he was resigning as taoiseach and Fine Gael leader. He was succeeded the following month in both roles by Simon Harris.

But the year had so much more to offer than just politics, and photographers were on hand to capture some of the highlights.

A man dressed as a Christmas elft runs out of the water at Bray in Co Wicklow — Hundreds of people took part in the annual New Year’s Day charity swim on Bray seafront in Co Wicklow. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

A dog joins protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign during a march in O’Connell Street, Dublin — A dog called Buster joined protesters from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign on a march in O’Connell Street, Dublin, in January. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

A local resident looks at the damage caused by a fallen tree that fell into the graveyard at St Joseph's Church in Glenavy, Co Antrim, during Storm Isha. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

The Northern Ireland Assembly Sits Today To Choose New First and Deputy First Ministers

Michelle O'Neill makes her way past a portrait of the late Ian Paisley before being nominated as First Minister at Stormont. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Former taoiseach John Bruton died aged 76 following a long illness in February. Photo: Damien Storan/PA

A person uses an umbrella as snow falls on a tree-lined road in Dublin — Sleet and snow led to travel disruption in parts of Ireland in early March. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Count And Declaration Of The Referendum To Update The Definition Of Family In Ireland

Leo Varadkar looking glum in Dublin Castle following the referendum results on March 9th. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

St Patrick's Day Parade Takes Place in Dublin

Patrick Kielty meets Irish wolfhound Ruari from the fire service as they prepare to take part in the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a visit to the home of the Boston Red Sox in Massachusetts — Leo Varadkar made a visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day in the same month he announced he was stepping down as taoiseach and resigning as leader of Fine Gael. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Simon Harris leaves the Dail after being elected the youngest taoiseach in the country's history — Simon Harris left the Dáil after a vote by TDs electing him as the youngest ever taoiseach in April. Photo: Niall Carson/PA
A tourist views the Palestinian solidarity murals on the Falls Road in Belfast. Three Palestinian artists who were involved in the project have since been killed in Gaza. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

International Wall In Belfast Displays Palestine Solidarity Murals — Simon Harris left the Dáil after a vote by TDs electing him as the youngest ever taoiseach in April. Photo: Niall Carson/PA
A tourist views the Palestinian solidarity murals on the Falls Road in Belfast. Three Palestinian artists who were involved in the project have since been killed in Gaza. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

A woman meditates during the Bealtaine Fire Festival at the Hill of Uisneach in Co Westmeath — Thousands of people gathered for the Bealtaine Fire Festival at the Hill of Uisneach in Co Westmeath in May. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Little Amal makes her way along the Peace Walls in Belfast. The 12-foot-tall puppet symbolises children of war. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Count staff sort ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork during a count for European elections — Count staff sorted ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork during the European elections in June. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA

Natasha O’Brien and Ruth Coppinger join protesters outside Leinster House in Dublin — Natasha O’Brien, who was assaulted by a serving Irish soldier, told a rally in Dublin in June that she would keep up pressure on politicians to tackle violence against women. Photo: Gareth Chaney/PA

Loyalists In Belfast Celebrate Twelfth Of July With Annual Parade

Female lodge members are seen taking a selfie as Orangemen and band members take part in the annual Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Football fans outside Croke Park ahead of the All-Ireland Football final between Armagh and Galway — Football fans gathered outside Croke Park in July before the All-Ireland Football final between Armagh and Galway. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

A mural of Irish runner Rhasidat Adeleke by street artist JEKS on Jenkins Avenue, Waterford — A mural of athlete Rhasidat Adeleke was created in Waterford after she made history becoming the first Irish woman to run in an Olympic sprint final during the Paris Olympics. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Emma Nott from Macroom at the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois — The Ploughing Championships in Co Laois in September saw visitors and competitors basking in temperatures above 20 degrees. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Keir Starmer Meets With Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris

British prime minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Simon Harris exchange football shirts, prior to the Nations League match between Ireland and England in Dublin. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Actor Colin Farrell with his friend Emma Fogarty, running in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon — Actor Colin Farrell ran the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October to raise money for people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic skin condition. Photo: Damien Storan/PA

Former NI First Minister And His Wife Enter Pleas For Sexual Misconduct Charges

Jeffrey Donaldson leaves Newry Courthouse after being charged with one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child and 13 of indecent assault on a female between 1985 and 2008. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Michelle O'Neill Attends Remembrance Sunday Service

Michelle O'Neill attends the Remembrance Sunday service in Belfast. The first minister was the first senior Sinn Féin figure to participate in an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in the city. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Micheal Martin, left to right, Mary Lou McDonald and Simon Harris — Politicians Micheál Martin, left to right, Mary Lou McDonald and Simon Harris took part in a final TV leaders’ debate on November 26th, days before the general election. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

A woman casts her vote at Deaf Village Ireland in Dublin — A woman casting her vote at Deaf Village Ireland in Dublin as voters went to the polls in the general election on November 29th. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Votes Are Counted In The 2024 Irish General Election

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald answers questions during a TV interview after the general election. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Election candidate Gerry Hutch surrounded by a journalists as vote counting took place at the RDS in Dublin. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Met Office Issues Amber Weather Warnings As Storm Darragh Sweeps The UK

A bus crashed into a house in Co Antrim due to high winds during Storm Darragh.Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Newly Garda graduates celebrating at the Garda College graduation ceremony at McCan Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary — New gardaí celebrate at the Garda College graduation ceremony at McCan Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary, on December 12th. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Independent TD Verona Murphy in her office at Leinster House, Dublin, after she was elected as the new Ceann Comhairle, becoming the first female speaker of the Dáil. Photo: PA

Winter Solstice Is Celebrated At The Newgrange Neolithic Monument

People celebrate the winter solstice as the sun rises over Newgrange. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty

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