- Early results suggest Ireland has voted for gay marriage in referendum
- Country would be the first in the world to legalise same-sex unions by vote
- Celebrations spilled out into streets of Dublin as result becomes clearer
- First 11 constituency results suggest Yes campaign victory with about 60%
Ireland is set to legalise gay marriage after early results suggested the country had voted overwhelmingly for allowing same-sex unions.
Celebrations spilled out into Dublin city centre as it began to become clear that the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed following the historic referendum.
Results are beginning to come in, with the first 11 constituencies all voting in favour of gay marriage.
Victory: Monnine Griffith (left) and Clodagh Robinson (right) celebrate after early results suggested an overwhelming majority in favour of the referendum on same-sex marriage at the Dublin City count centre
Erin Reedy (left) and Dee Campbell (right) were among those celebrating in the sunshine at Dublin Castle
Ireland's equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result became clear, tweeting this
Celebrations: Early results suggest the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed following the historic referendum in Ireland
A couple celebrate with a kiss as it began to become clear that the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed
Gay rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as results filtered through to those waiting outside the main count in the capital
Yes: Supporters for same-sex marriage Helen Kelleher (left) and Elin Adler (right) share a kiss as they celebrate outside a gay bar in Dublin
Pleased: Gay rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared to be on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote this afternoon
With just about a fifth of constituencies returning official results, the figures indicated Ireland would pass the gay marriage rights reform with close to 65 per cent in favour.
The biggest support was recorded in Kildare North with a 69.67 per cent majority for the Yes side, while the closest contest was in Taoiseach Enda Kenny's own turf in County Mayo where 52 per cent were in favour.
Gay rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared to be on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote.
In Dublin, the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage while in many other parts of the country the constitutional amendment was expected to be passed by about two to one.
Ireland's equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result became clear, tweeting: 'Ireland hasn't just said "Yes"... Ireland has said: "F*** YEAAHHHH"'
Speaking on Sky News, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said this was 'a huge day for equality'.
He said: 'I also think that given that the government parties were pressing quite rightly for equality in this issue then we need equality in other issues - we need equality in social issues, economic issues we need everything to be equality. So this is a hugely important day for the LGBT community and everybody else.'
Ireland's deputy prime minister, Labour Party leader Joan Burton, said Ireland was becoming 'a rainbow nation with a huge amount of diversity'.
A gay couple kiss outside a count centre in Dublin after Ireland appeared to overwhelmingly back same-sex unions
Gay rights campaigners were seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared to be on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote
With counting of ballots only beginning at 9am, early indications suggest the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed
An official result is expected this afternoon after counting is complete, but campaigners against reform have already started admitting defeat
At last: Gay couple Michael Barron and Jamie Nanci embrace after early indications suggested Ireland had voted in favour of allowing gay marriage
Equality: In Dublin, the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage
Leo Varadkar, Ireland's health minister and first openly gay cabinet member, said it was a special day.
'It seems to me that the Irish people had their minds made up on this some time ago,' he said.
Senator David Norris, one of the key figures in having homosexuality decriminalised in the 1990s, said: 'I believe that by the end of today gay people will be equal in this country. I think it's wonderful.
'It's a little bit late for me. As I said the other day 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.'
Pat Carey, a former government minister who came out as gay earlier this year aged 68, welled up saying: 'It's down to the brave, ordinary people of Ireland who took their courage in their hands.'
Young people are said to have turned out in unprecedented numbers to cast their vote, with an official result due this afternoon.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said there was a movement of young people who were firmly behind the reforms.
'I think from a young person's perspective, particularly for those who travelled from wherever to wherever to put a simple mark on a paper, shows the value of the issue and the importance of politics,' he said.
John Murray, director of the Iona Institute religious think-tank - one of the leading groups fighting the reform - admitted defeat this morning.
'Obviously I'd be disappointed in that. We did our best to fight a good campaign and if having run that we haven't won it, we did our best,' he said.
'Everyone is saying it is Yes and I'm not going to argue with that.'
Results from the constituencies will be fed back to the count headquarters in Dublin Castle, where young people draped in rainbow-coloured flags sat in circles awaiting the result, talking to curious tourists.
The Irish government, which lobbied for a Yes vote, has opened the building to campaigners.
Two Carmelite Nuns cast their votes in Ireland's gay marriage referendum yesterday morning
A high voter turnout was recorded across the country, with a huge increase in young people voting
Wedding: Newlyweds Ann Cole and Vincent Fox prepare to cast their vote at a polling station in Dublin just hours after getting married themselves. Early results suggest Ireland will go-ahead with same-sex marriages
Civil partners Paul Higgins and Richard Lucey shared a kiss as they cast their votes yesterday
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967
Irish voters were asked whether they support or reject a change to the country's constitution, so it would read: 'Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.'
The constitution's definition would not be changed, including a section that states a woman's place is at home.
Other countries have held referendums on gay marriage, including Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia, where same-sex unions were voted against by the electorate.
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967.
The first gay marriages in Britain took place last year but they are still outlawed in Northern Ireland.
In a separate referendum also being held today, voters are being asked their views on proposals to reduce the age limit on who can stand for the presidency from 35 to 21.
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