In pictures: Northern Lights stun sky watchers

A sky watcher takes in the spectacle in Rossglass, County Down

Skies in Northern Ireland were lit up in a spectacular display of the Northern Lights on Thursday night.

The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are vibrant light displays that occur in the sky, usually near the polar regions.

The lights were visible in Northern Ireland due to a geomagnetic storm.

Photos from sky watchers show the dazzling lights illuminating skies across the country.

Aurora borealis light up the sky in Waringstown, County Armagh

A stunning contrast of colours seen from Lisburn on Thursday night

Spectacular skies above Oxford Island

Glorious display of lights seen from Baranailt Limavady

Purple skies above Belleek, County Fermanagh

Dazzling display of the Northern Lights over Portstewart Strand on Thursday night

An illuminating display of red and green above Holywood, County Down

Purple lights dominate the sky in Gillygooley, Omagh