Counting begins in Ireland for historic equal marriage referendum

Queue at Dublin airport tonight to get back into Ireland to vote for marriage equality tomorrow #MarRef pic.twitter.com/uCwj7qCxDg

— Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) May 21, 2015

Voting ended last night in Ireland and now the count has begun. Early indications show strong support in Dublin which Yes campaigners hope will carry throughout Ireland.

Tally sheets can't quite fit all the Yes so far ..#dubSE #MarRef pic.twitter.com/0jALejzdok

— Jeanne Kelly (@jmkirl) May 23, 2015

Very emotional reading #hometovote #MarRef #Immigration #Èire abú pic.twitter.com/R6lvcZdRC7

— Teresa M. (@ElizaTMullaney) May 22, 2015

In the first equal marriage constitutional change put to a popular vote, Ireland could make history today, but campaigners also know the risks, it took several attempts to approve divorce only a few decades ago.

A wonderful thing happened on voting day (and the night before). A flood of young people returned to their home country, many travelling from nearby (and job rich) England. People reported on Twitter long lines at airport immigration and packed trains as voters did what they could to get to the ballot box.

This 101-year-old dressed up in rainbow colours to vote for equal marriage http://t.co/qisdBeezyj pic.twitter.com/Ibi42TaJMW

— indy100 (@indy100) May 22, 2015

Came #hometovote all the way from London and found my mum had made some subtle changes to my room for me #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/BOdxqXhJoN

— kevin (@KevBeirne) May 21, 2015

There's a big gay rainbow over Dublin, if that's not Jesus giving the Yes vote I don't know what is pic.twitter.com/p38LKtLgOv

— Karl (@karltims) May 22, 2015

Let’s hope Ireland has made the right decision. All battles for rights have been hard to win, but the people are determined. In 1916 when Ireland proclaimed itself a republic the following was included in the statement, “the Republic guarantees equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens.”