A year is a long time in politics, four years is a lifetime.
Fianna Fáil was the ruling party going into the 2011 General Election but took a massive hit, with only 19 TDs being elected.
Fast forward four years and now the party has more than doubled its number of TDs - 42 have been elected so far.
The party looks set to be the second largest party, closely behind Fine Gael.
Leader Micheál Martin was comfortably returned in Cork South Central. While, other party stalwarts such as Wille O'Dea, Niall Collins, Michael McGrath and Dara Calleary were also returned.
Final tally for Limerick City #ge16 pic.twitter.com/cUEa3L4MT6
— Willie O'Dea (@willieodeaLIVE) February 27, 2016
The party made enormous gains in Kildare. Two new TDs were elected in Kildare North, Cllrs James Lawless and Frank O'Rourke. While in Kildare South, Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin is a new TD for the party, joining returning TD Seán Ó Fheargáil.
Introducing Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin, our Newbridge TD. Thanks to everyone who voted. #GE16 pic.twitter.com/bGOvJJJeLG
— Newbridge FiannaFáil (@NewbridgeFF) February 27, 2016
The party which had the biggest issue with the gender quota also appears to be the one which will benefit the most from it. There were no female Fianna Fáil TDs in the last Dáil, yet six have been elected so far.
Fianna Fail TDs Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth have also won the final 2 seats in Cavan Monaghan, with Brenda Smith saying he was overwhelmed with the party's result locally and nationally:
