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Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has topped the poll in Louth, to secure a Dáil seat on the first count of the Irish general election with more than 15,000 votes.
Mr Adams dramatically resigned from both Westminster and Stormont to enter politics south of the border.
"It's a big day for me and my family, because it was a very big political gamble to wrench myself away from west Belfast and I am indebted to the people of west Belfast," Mr Adams told UTV.
Sinn Féin looks set to at least double its number of seats in the Dáil, after appearing to poll strongly.
"We went out in this election, we set out our stall very, very clearly," Mr Adams said.
"I think the votes across the state show a significant amount of people support the position we have taken up."
Sinn Féin has been an outspoken opponent of the economic bailout and subsequent heavy budget cuts imposed by the outgoing coalition government.
Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who visited the Louth count centre to help mark his leader's victory, said Mr Adams' decision to run for office in the Republic had been vindicated.
"It's very heart-warming to be here and see that the people of Louth were able to see through all of that, all those who tried to undermine Gerry Adams' incredible contribution to peace in Ireland and to politics in Ireland," Mr McGuinness told UTV.
"To be in a position to be elected in the first count, to top the poll, is an incredible result."
Mr Adams' campaign wasn't without controversy, as he came in for criticism from his political opponents over a perceived lack of experience on Irish economic issues.
But he insisted that didn't worry him, saying: "The people who are challenging me on our economic position are the people who brought the economy to its knees."
Mr Adams was also the subject of protests by the family of 'Disappeared' victim Jean McConville, who was kidnapped, murdered and secretly buried by the Real IRA. Her body was found in Co Louth years later.
"There was a lot of opposition to him and a lot of campaigns," James Rodgers, from the Dundalk Democrat newspaper, said.
"It's taken everyone by surprise how well he has done, particularly from the morning. Some of the first boxes opened were from the south of the constituency where he polled very well - he was expected to do well up in the north of the constituency."
Amid Sinn Féin's success Fianna Fáil - a giant of Irish politics and the ruling party for 60 of the last 80 years - has experienced a catastrophic meltdown at the polls with record losses.
The party has borne the brunt of voters' anger at the country's economic turmoil and a number of high-profile ministers have been left fighting for their political lives.
FF faces battle with Sinn Féin for 'third place' in Election 2011Mr Adams dramatically resigned from both Westminster and Stormont to enter politics south of the border.
"It's a big day for me and my family, because it was a very big political gamble to wrench myself away from west Belfast and I am indebted to the people of west Belfast," Mr Adams told UTV.
Sinn Féin looks set to at least double its number of seats in the Dáil, after appearing to poll strongly.
"We went out in this election, we set out our stall very, very clearly," Mr Adams said.
"I think the votes across the state show a significant amount of people support the position we have taken up."
Sinn Féin has been an outspoken opponent of the economic bailout and subsequent heavy budget cuts imposed by the outgoing coalition government.
Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who visited the Louth count centre to help mark his leader's victory, said Mr Adams' decision to run for office in the Republic had been vindicated.
"It's very heart-warming to be here and see that the people of Louth were able to see through all of that, all those who tried to undermine Gerry Adams' incredible contribution to peace in Ireland and to politics in Ireland," Mr McGuinness told UTV.
"To be in a position to be elected in the first count, to top the poll, is an incredible result."
Mr Adams' campaign wasn't without controversy, as he came in for criticism from his political opponents over a perceived lack of experience on Irish economic issues.
But he insisted that didn't worry him, saying: "The people who are challenging me on our economic position are the people who brought the economy to its knees."
Mr Adams was also the subject of protests by the family of 'Disappeared' victim Jean McConville, who was kidnapped, murdered and secretly buried by the Real IRA. Her body was found in Co Louth years later.
"There was a lot of opposition to him and a lot of campaigns," James Rodgers, from the Dundalk Democrat newspaper, said.
"It's taken everyone by surprise how well he has done, particularly from the morning. Some of the first boxes opened were from the south of the constituency where he polled very well - he was expected to do well up in the north of the constituency."
Amid Sinn Féin's success Fianna Fáil - a giant of Irish politics and the ruling party for 60 of the last 80 years - has experienced a catastrophic meltdown at the polls with record losses.
The party has borne the brunt of voters' anger at the country's economic turmoil and a number of high-profile ministers have been left fighting for their political lives.
It is now expected Fine Gael will end the day with more than 70 seats, shy of the overall majority.
Labour has secured about one in five votes nationally, and possibly as many as one in three in Dublin, and could get 40 seats.
After 80 years of dominance of Irish politics, Fianna Fáil is battling with Sinn Féin to be the biggest party in Opposition. Both will probably end with seat numbers in the teens.
Labour has secured about one in five votes nationally, and possibly as many as one in three in Dublin, and could get 40 seats.
After 80 years of dominance of Irish politics, Fianna Fáil is battling with Sinn Féin to be the biggest party in Opposition. Both will probably end with seat numbers in the teens.
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