SINN Féin's dramatic surge to challenge Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as an electoral force represents an earthquake in voting patterns in the Republic.
For decades the political landscape has been dominated by the 'big two', borne out of civil war politics and alternating in government with the support of various smaller parties.
In the early 1980s they could command more than 80 per cent of all votes cast, although the duopoly has been chipped away in intervening elections.
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The state's first Saturday poll since 1918, when Sinn Féin secured almost half the vote, has now seen the party emerge again as a clear third force as the combined vote of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael dropped below 45 per cent.
Sinn Féin secured less than 14 per cent of the vote as recently as 2016, having only begun fighting elections in the late 1980s and making little impact until the turn of the century.
The last administration, in which Fianna Fáil entered into an unprecedented confidence and supply agreement to support Leo Varadkar's minority government, may now be seen as the swansong of two-party hegemony as voters expressed a clear desire to break from decades of tradition.
Analysis (Premium):
- John Manley: Sinn Féin storms to fore but will it be in government?
- Brian Feeney: Sinn Féin storm blows away old party system
- Allison Morris: A new Ireland with changing priorities emerges
- Deaglán de Bréadún: A change has come - Sinn Féin must now keep up momentum