How it started ...
The opening of boxes on Saturday morning sparked a flurry of camera flashes. So too did the initial sorting of ballot papers.
But then there was a lull in proceedings. It was a moment that no doubt played out in count centres around the country.
That moment when photographers and reporters start to look for the quirky and unusual while they await the first tally indications.
And so it was at the Cork North Central count at Nemo Rangers GAA club. But the media did not have to search for long for some colour.
A member of the counting staff was wearing a red t-shirt with the slogan 'Maybe I like the Misery'.
Photos of the election worker quickly went viral on social media and appeared across online news sites.
For a while, it was the only news coming out of the North Central count.
It was after 4pm on Sunday before the first candidate got over the line.
Before that happened, the election worker had helpfully donned a new funny t-shirt - this time with the slogan 'No better buachaill'.
Sinn Fein's Thomas Gould became the first candidate elected in the constituency following the 10th count.
Fianna Fail's Padraig O'Sullivan was next, elected on the 12th count.
Ken O'Flynn of Independent Ireland and Fine Gael's Colm Burke claimed the next two seats.
The fifth and final seat went to Eoghan Kenny of the Labour Party but Mick Barry of People Before Profit Solidarity requested a recount with just 35 votes between the two candidates.
That pushed the count into a third day and yes, you guessed it, that meant a third t-shirt for the count worker.
This time it simply said 'unreal', which is how many were feeling over the prospect of a lengthy recount that could have lasted days.
However, on Monday afternoon, after several hours of rechecks, Mr Barry withdrew his recount request and it was all over.
It took three days of counting to finalise the result and for the election workers it was very much a case of been there, done that, earned the t-shirt.
How it ended ...
