The Irish voters have decisively voted in favour of marriage equality, making Ireland the first country to do so through the ballot box.
Only one of the 43 constituencies voted against the proposal – Roscommon-South Leitrim – while the yes vote exceeded 70% in many parts of Dublin.
The final figures showed 62 per cent of votes in favour of the change and 38 per cent against.
“This is a big placard from the people of Ireland to the rest of the world saying this is the way forward,” said David Norris, who began a campaign for gay rights in the late 1970s.
Addressing the crowd he said that “the message to the entire world today is dignity, freedom and tolerance,” whereas Health
Minister Leo Varadkar, who revealed he was gay in a radio interview in January, said the referendum resembled a “social revolution”.
“This has really touched a nerve in Ireland,” Equality Minister Aodhan O’Riordain said at the main count centre in Dublin.
“It’s a very strong message to every LGBT young person in Ireland and every LGBT young person in the world.”
Hundreds of “Yes” supporters gathered in the grounds of Dublin Castle and cheered and waved rainbow flags as the results came through.
Ireland is now the 19th country in the world to legalise gay marriage, and the 14th in Europe.
Legalising gay marriage a kick in the core of the Irish Catholic Church, which remains a powerful force in the country although its credibility was shaken since the revelation of the child sexual abuse scandals.
The archbishop of Dublin has said the result should be seen as a wake-up call.