General election 2019: Northern Ireland's election in pictures

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) suffered a bruising night of general election results, losing two MPs including its Westminster leader Nigel Dodds.

News imagePA/Charles McQuillan Arlene Foster and Emma-Little Pengelly, general election 2019PA/Charles McQuillan
It was a glum night for the DUP contingent at the Belfast count, including party leader Arlene Foster (centre) and Emma Little-Pengelly (right)

Nigel Dodds lost his North Belfast seat to Sinn Féin's John Finucane while Emma Little-Pengelly was defeated by Claire Hanna of the SDLP in South Belfast.

SDLP party leader Colum Eastwood won Foyle with a thumping majority, while the Alliance Party took North Down and increased its vote share from the 2017 general election by 8.8%.

Here's how the night unfolded, in pictures.

News imagePacemaker Counting in Magherafelt for the 2019 general electionPacemaker
Counting began after the polls closed at 22:00 GMT on Thursday night - the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, was one of the main count centres
News imagePacemaker Counting in Belfast for the general election 2019Pacemaker
Ballot boxes arrive at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, which hosted counts for the four Belfast constituencies
News imagePacemaker Counting in Belfast during the 2019 general electionPacemaker
An electoral officer keeps a keen eye on the votes as they are being counted in Belfast
News imagePacemaker Counting in Belfast during the 2019 general electionPacemaker
One of the most anticipated races was between DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds and Sinn Féin challenger John Finucane in Belfast North
News imagePacemaker North Down count, general election 2019Pacemaker
In Bangor, the North Down seat was up for grabs after Lady Sylvia Hermon decided not to run for re-election after 18 years as an MP
News imagePA/Michael Cooper Stephen Farry, general election 2019PA/Michael Cooper
Early indications were that Alliance's Stephen Farry had polled well in the constituency and was in a dogfight with the DUP's Alex Easton, the favourite for the seat
News imagePacemaker Alex Easton, general election 2019Pacemaker
Alex Easton, centre, was thought to be the most likely beneficiary of Lady Sylvia's decision, but it soon became apparent he would not take the seat
News imagePacemaker Stephen Farry, general election 2019Pacemaker
In the end, Stephen Farry won out by about 3,000 votes, having increased his parties vote share by 36%
News imagePacemaker Colum Eastwood, general election 2019Pacemaker
In Foyle, it was expected to be close - SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (centre right) was aiming to regain the seat for the party after Sinn Féin won it for the first time in 2017
News imagePacemaker Colum Eastwood, general election 2019Pacemaker
But he cantered home with a huge majority of 17,000 votes over Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion
News imagePacemaker Claire Hanna, general election 2019Pacemaker
The SDLP's good night was completed when Claire Hanna won in Belfast South, taking the seat from the DUP's Emma Little Pengelly - the party now has two Westminster seats after being wiped out in the 2017 general election
News imagePacemaker Nigel Dodds, general election 2019Pacemaker
Nigel Dodds (centre) came into this election as Belfast North's MP for 18 years - the seat had never been held by a non-unionist
News imagePacemaker Mary-Lou McDonald, John Finucane, Michelle O'Neill, general election 2019Pacemaker
But in arguably the surprise of the night, Sinn Féin's John Finucane won by just under 2,000 votes
News imagePacemaker Jeffrey Donaldson, general election 2019Pacemaker
The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson was re-elected as MP for Lagan Valley but his huge majority from two years ago was slashed from 19,000 votes to under 7,000
News imagePA/Charles McQuillan Sammy Wilson, general election 2019PA/Charles McQuillan
It wasn't all bad news for the DUP who did return eight MPs, including Sammy Wilson in East Antrim
News imagePacemaker Carla Lockhart., general election 2019Pacemaker
Meanwhile Carla Lockhart took the congratulations from her family after being elected to Westminster at the first attempt - she replaces DUP colleague David Simpson in Upper Bann after he decided against running for re-election
News imagePacemaker Órfhlaith Begley, general election 2019Pacemaker
Sinn Féin's overall vote share suffered, with the party losing 6.7% of the share compared to 2017, but it still retained seven MPs, including Órfhlaith Begley in West Tyrone
News imagePacemaker Michelle Gildernew, general election 2019Pacemaker
The final, and closest-run seat, was in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew waited he hear if she had retained her seat
News imagePA/Brian Lawless Tom Elliott, 2019 general electionPA/Brian Lawless
The UUP's Tom Elliott hoped to regain the seat he lost in 2017 and win his party a seat at Westminster
News imagePA/Ronan McGrade Michelle Gildernew, general election 2019PA/Ronan McGrade
But, after a recount, the UUP's empty-handed election was confirmed - Michelle Gildernew retained her seat by just 57 votes

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