Belfast Telegraph images of the year: From celebrations to heartbreak

In a year of mixed emotions, celebrations and heartache in Northern Ireland; photographers across the country and further afield have brought images to our screens that capture our attention.

We have no shortage of superb visual storytellers across our agencies and media outlets, often bringing scenes of joy in the darkest of times.

Rewinding to the Summer Olympics in Paris, it was Brendan Moran’s image of Coleraine’s Hannah Scott celebrating with teammates after winning a gold medal in the women’s quadruple sculls final that brought joy to readers in print and online.

With scenes of joy, often come sadder scenes.

Just two days before Christmas Belfast Telegraph photographer Luke Jervis captured a heartbreaking image that sums up the fragility of life.

The image was captured as mother-of-three Debbie Burns died following a blaze at her home in the New Barnsley Park area of west Belfast.

The funeral took place just two days before Christmas and shows the family gathered together around her coffin.

Photographers and journalists – some tragically killed in their line of work – have brought us vital updates, combating misinformation from war zones around the world.

Most of the images are too graphic to show, however Ali Jadallah, arriving before any ambulances and civil defence teams, captured this image of civilians helping each other out of the rubble following an explosion from an Israeli strike encapsulating the horror of war.

Back at home, it was my image of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving for his first appearance in Newry that caught the attention of our readers.

The image taken of Donaldson through his car window on arrival shows the shock on his face to see crowds and media gathered outside the courthouse.

Our politicians didn’t only make the headlines for negative stories, pacemaker press captured the moment Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly had a go at some hurling in west Belfast.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill was also in the headlines for reaching out months later when she laid a wreath at the cenotaph in Belfast on Remembrance Sunday. Kelvin Boyes of Presseye captured the moment Michelle laid the wreath.

You will find some of my favourite images of the year in this gallery.