Ireland overwhelmingly says Yes
Sisters Rebecca and Rachel Doyle from Wexford waiting for the reults of same-sex marriage referendum at Dublin Castle. Pic:Mark Condren
Ministers Leo Varadkar and Frances Fitzgerald pictured at the count centre in City West. Picture; Gerry Mooney
Eamon Gilmore pictured after he arrived at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum count in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Brian McMahon with his daughter Lucy waiting for the reults of same-sex marriage referendum at Dublin Castle. Pic:Mark Condren
Waiting for the reults of same-sex marriage referendum at Dublin Castle. Pic:Mark Condren
Sisters Rebecca and Rachel Doyle from Wexford waiting for the reults of same-sex marriage referendum at Dublin Castle. Pic:Mark Condren
![Michael Barron pictured with his husband Jamie Nanci from Dublin, [ they were married in Capetown five years ago] pictured at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum count in the RDS Simmonscourt .
Pic Frank Mc Grath](https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/zvzRmgyRHiqtZh5DgJs27SdzcI0=/0x191:1869x1221/960x640/prod-mh-ireland/bb54bab8-bc3f-11ed-a84c-0210609a3fe2.jpg)
Michael Barron pictured with his husband Jamie Nanci from Dublin, [ they were married in Capetown five years ago] pictured at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum count in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Traolach O Buachalla from Dublin pictured with Sen David Norris at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum count in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Counting gets under way for the Kilkenny by election in Kilkenny this morning. Photo: Tony Gavin
Counting gets under way for the Kilkenny by election and referendum in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny this morning. Constitution referendum votes. Photo: Tony Gavin
Tellers Fiona Nortwood and Eimear Norton counting votes during the Kilkenny by election and referendum in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny this morning. Photo: Tony Gavin
Boxes are opened as counting gets under way for the Kilkenny by election and referendum in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny this morning. Photo: Tony Gavin
Counting gets under way for the Kilkenny by election and referendum in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny this morning. Photo: Tony Gavin
Count Staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Count Staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Tiernan Brady Policy Director with GLEN pictured with Sen David Norris as they go through some of the tally counts at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Count Staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Count Staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
Count staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt. Pic Frank Mc Grath
Count Staff sort out the ballot papers in both the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
The ballot boxes in the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum pictured being opened in the RDS Simmonscourt . Pic Frank Mc Grath
![thumbnail: Michael Barron pictured with his husband Jamie Nanci from Dublin, [ they were married in Capetown five years ago] pictured at the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Presidential Age Referendum count in the RDS Simmonscourt .
Pic Frank Mc Grath](https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/MS6Eds_Z0RuVNe4RiYbRGIkZxOY=/0x191:1869x1221/160x107/prod-mh-ireland/bb54bab8-bc3f-11ed-a84c-0210609a3fe2.jpg)
Following a historic referendum, Ireland has become the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote.
The official result for the marriage equality referendum was declared at Dublin Castle shortly before 7pm this evening, with the final tally ending up 62.1 pc Yes against 37.9 pc No.In total, almost two million people voted. The number of Yes votes cast was 1,201,607, with 734,300 No.
Some 13,818 votes were marked as invalid and so were not counted towards the final result.Over all, the Yes vote secured a 467,307 majority.Large crowds have gathered at Dublin Castle to celebrate the resounding Yes.Speaking after the official result was announced, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Ireland had made history today. "Our people have truly answered Ireland's call... we have made history." Adding: "Those who voted no did so due to genuine held views which should be respected."Meanwhile, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin called the Yes result a "reality check" for the Catholic Church in Ireland.“I think it’s a social revolution. It’s a social revolution that didn’t begin today, it’s a social revolution that’s been going on, and perhaps people in the church have not been clear in their understanding of what that involves," he said.The hashtag 'We Made History' trended on Twitter as elated Irish people took to social media to express their delight at the official result.
Based on a final poll of 1,949,725, more people voted in the same-sex marriage referendum than in any other since the foundation of the State.The first official constituency result was declared in Sligo-North Leitrim with 53.57 pc voting Yes.Only Roscommon-South Leitrim voted No.The results there saw voters reject marriage equality by 51 pc to 49 pc.The tightest margin was in Donegal South West where it was Yes by only 33 votes.Top Ten Yes Constituencies
Top Ten No Constituencies
For the full results of today's marriage equality referendum, click here.
Meanwhile, the country's second referendum, aimed at lowering the age of presidential candidates from 35 to 21, was soundly defeated.
In an almost reversal of the marriage equality referendum, voters rejected the proposal 73.1 pc to 26.9 pc.
'Panti Bliss' aka Rory O'Neill with John Lyons TD at the Central Count Centre in Dublin Castle, Dublin, after Zappone proposed live on TV as votes are continued to be counted in the referendum on same-sex marriage. Brian Lawless/PA Wire
'Panti Bliss' aka Rory O'Neill with Dean McCarron at the Central Count Centre in Dublin Castle, Dublin, after Zappone proposed live on TV as votes are continued to be counted in the referendum on same-sex marriage. Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Celebrations at Tv3's Vincent Browne Special Referendum Results Show from the George Dublin Pictures:Brian McEvoy
Drag queen and gay rights activist, Rory O'Neill, also known by his stage name Panti raises her arms by supporters for same-sex marriage at Dublin Castle as they wait for the result of the referendum on May 23, 2015. Yes voters were basking in the sunshine today as they gathered to celebrate an expected victory in Ireland's referendum on whether to approve same-sex marriage. AFP PHOTO / Paul FaithPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images
Mary Lou McDonald ,Vincent Browne and Micheal Martin at Tv3's Vincent Browne Special Referendum Results Show from the George Dublin Pictures:Brian McEvoy
Same-sex marriage supporters kiss at Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland May 23, 2015. Irish voters appear to have voted heavily in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum in the traditionally Catholic country, government ministers and opponents of the bill said on Saturday. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
Supporters for same-sex marriage hold an inflatable Yes sign as they wait for the announcement on the referendum in Dublin castle on May 23, 2015. Ireland appeared to have voted to allow gay marriage today in a historic referendum which would see the historically Catholic country become the world's first to make the change after a popular vote. AFP PHOTO / Paul FaithPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: Drag queen artist and Yes campaign activist, Panti Bliss is interviewed bare foot by news crews as thousands gather in Dublin Castle square awaiting the referendum vote outcome on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Senator Katherine Zappone (left) with Ann Louise Gilligan at the Central Count Centre in Dublin Castle, Dublin, after Zappone proposed live on TV as votes are continued to be counted in the referendum on same-sex marriage. Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Senator Katherine Zappone (left) with Ann Louise Gilligan at the Central Count Centre in Dublin Castle, Dublin, after Zappone proposed live on TV as votes are continued to be counted in the referendum on same-sex marriage. Brian Lawless/PA Wire
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