Ireland has overwhelmingly voted to introduce same sex civil marriages.
Voters approved marriage equality with over 60% of people who voted supporting a change to the country’s constitution.
The history making vote makes Ireland the 20th country to allow same sex couples to wed, and the first to make the change through a popular vote.
Earlier in the day campaigner behind the ‘no’ vote conceded defeat as those who wanted marriage to remain strictly between a man and woman were outvoted at a rate of almost two to one.
The Iona Institute, a leading organisation in the no campaign, released a statement congratulating their opponents.
“We would like to congratulate the Yes side on winning such a handsome victory in the marriage referendum.
“They fought a very professional campaign that in truth began long before the official campaign started.
“For our part, The Iona Institute is proud to have helped represent the many hundreds of thousands of Irish people who would otherwise have had no voice in this referendum because all of the political parties backed a Yes vote.
The ‘Yes’ vote was supported by all political parties and the successful campaign saw many politicians celebrating.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar, who came out as a gay man during the campaign’ told RTE radio that it was a great day for Ireland.
“It’s a really great day for Ireland… Ireland is shining.
“If you think about it really is historic… it’s something really special.” Mr Varadkar said.
Irish Senator David Norris, a politician who has campaigned for gay rights since the 1970’s also welcomed the result.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a little bit late for me … I’ve spent so much time pushing the boat out that I forgot to jump on and now it’s out beyond the harbour on the high seas, but it’s very nice to look at.” Mr Norris said.
The landslide result has been described as a generational shift in what was once one of the most conservative and religious countries in Europe.
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny says there was a “palpable movement” by people to be involved in the ‘Yes campaign, particularly young people. In the lead up to the campaign over 60,000 new voters were registered.
As the results came through thousands of people gathered at Dublin castle to celebrate the news. Ireland’s Minister for Justice and Equality shared the scene on Twitter.
Such a great crowd in #DublinCastle for results of #MarRef Well done to all those who turned out!! pic.twitter.com/6CaN4YRqQp
— Frances Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldFrncs) May 23, 2015
Crowds have reportedly been singing the song ‘All You Need is Love’ and cheering as each electoral areas result is announced.
Image: YayMicro | Kerstin
Yesterday in this country was like ten Christmasses together. Never saw anything like it. The No voters know in their hearts and souls that nothing has changed for them but everything has changed for the Yes voters.