CO Armagh unionist Ian Marshall has lost his seat in the Seanad.
The former Ulster Farmers Union president was elected as an independent in the upper chamber of the Dublin parliament after being nominated by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar two years ago.
He also received support from Sinn Féin.
Mr Marshall, who was vocally anti-Brexit during the EU referendum, said he was disappointed at failing to be re-elected this week.
He said the counting process was "surreal" because of the coronavirus social distancing measures.
"I was in Dublin in Leinster House. It was a bit surreal, there were only the officials and the people that need to be there," he told the BBC.
Mr Marshall also said there is a lot of "misunderstanding and misrepresentation" when it comes to the views of unionism in the Republic.
"It's not a cold house for unionists," he said.
"Not everyone in Dublin is focused on Irish unity."
There are 60 seats in the Seanad and the election and counting of votes went ahead despite the Covid-19 crisis, with strict social distances measures.
The media was not allowed at the counts which instead were live streamed on the Oireachtas social media accounts.
