Six years ago today (22 May, 2015), Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of marriage equality for same sex couples. Ireland was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by public vote.
On the day of the count, early indications showed a decisive win for the ‘Yes; side and celebrations started early around the country. Crowds gathered at Dublin Castle to await the national result.
I made my my way into Dublin Castle ahead of the announcement and even managed to get onto the main stage – it’s amazing what a confident look and a big camera will do. Everyone was in such jubilant form that nobody paid attention to the fact that I didn’t have the appropriate press credentials!
I managed to take lots of pictures that day!
I managed to take lots of photographs, including all of the gathered politicians who were there to soak up some of the joy.
Ireland said ‘yes’ by 1.202,607 votes to 734,300 – the vote was passed by a margin of 62 per cent.
It was a goosebumps moment for everyone who was there – there hadn’t been an explosion of pure joy in Dublin since Italia 90 and the Irish football team’s heroics at that summer’s World Cup.
What an incredible day that was!