Dan Griffin with updates and reactions as same sex marriage is approved by strong majority

Dan Griffin

08:06 Join Hugh Linehan and Dan Griffin for live coverage of counting in the same-sex marriage and presidential age referendums and in the Carlow-Kilkenny bylection. Boxes will be opened at 9am with the result of the same-sex marriage referendum becoming clear by lunchtime.

08:29 Good morning and welcome to the Irish Times live coverage of the count for the referendums on marriage and eligibility for election to the presidency, along with the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection. I'm Hugh Linehan and I'll be bringing you updates throughout the day as soon as we get them from our reporters and from tallies around the country.

08:33



'Just before polls closed, the average turnout across Dublin county was an estimated 65 per cent and 53 per cent in the Dublin city council area. Turnout in Cork city was above 60 per cent.

However, in other areas of the State, initial turnout was in line with recent referendums, or only slightly up.'



Read Fiach's full article There's half an hour to go still before boxes are opened, but already it seems to be clear that turnout has surpassed most experts' expectations. Fiach Kelly reports that:'Just before polls closed, the average turnout across Dublin county was an estimated 65 per cent and 53 per cent in the Dublin city council area. Turnout in Cork city was above 60 per cent.However, in other areas of the State, initial turnout was in line with recent referendums, or only slightly up.'Read Fiach's full article here

08:36 Final turnout will not be known until all votes are counted for the same-sex marriage referendum, as well as the referendum to cut the age eligibility for presidential candidates. However, we should start getting some strong indications by mid-morning at the latest. Fiach Kelly notes some historical figures for turnout in elections and referendums: 'The turnout for the last general election in 2011 was 70 per cent, with 52 per cent of eligible voters casting their ballots in last year’s local elections.

The referendums on the proposed abolition of the Seanad and the establishment of a court of appeal, which took place in October 2013, had a turnout of 39 per cent.

The turnout for the children’s referendum in November 2012 was 33 per cent, while 51 per cent voted in the fiscal treaty referendum in May 2012.

The referendum to approve the 1937 constitution had a 76 per cent turnout, while 71 per cent turned out for the 1971 vote on joining the then European Economic Community.'

08:42 An Irish couple's video on the country's same-sex marriage referendum goes viral http://t.co/EoRGIEYYDH pic.twitter.com/3wmAcFeI1F — The New York Times (@nytimes) May 23, 2015



08:47 Over the next 48 hours our political team will be anaylsing the results as they emerge.

• Political editor Stephen Collins will look at what the results mean politically.

• Fintan O’Toole will examine the meaning of the result of the same-sex marriage referendum.

• Political Correspondent Fiach Kelly will analyse the Yes and No campaigns and what impact these had on the same sex marriage result.

• Ruadhán MacCormaic will explain what happens next in terms of same sex marriage?

• We will also look at whether the opinion polls got it right?

• Political Correspondent Harry McGee will analyse the results of the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection.

• Irish Times Deputy Editor Denis Staunton, Breda O’Brien and Noel Whelan will look at the implications of the same sex-marriage referendum result.

Plus we'll have video reports from the RDS, Dublin Castle and from the Carlow-Kilkenny count, which will be happening at the same time as the referendum counts.

08:49 Never seen crowds like this waiting to enter at a referendum count #MarRef pic.twitter.com/sEFKMBD3xO — noelwhelan (@noelwhelan) May 23, 2015



08:51 A nation holds its breath.... pic.twitter.com/2pen3DxYNm — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) May 23, 2015



08:57 With less than five minutes to go before boxes are openned, the tallypeople are standing by. They're the ones who'll be telling us about early trends, and they're probably the ones who'll be calling the results before anyone else. In position #Tallytags #tallytweets #dubnc #MarRef pic.twitter.com/FAsjYuTAHA — Jane Horgan-Jones (@horganjonesjane) May 23, 2015



09:02

09:09 Lest we forget, there is a referendum on changing the age limit at which people may run for the presidency from 35 to 21. Here's my head-to-head with Arthur Beesley on the issue (although I think it'll be a miracle if it passes).

09:13 It's harder to predict the outcome in the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection caused by the appointment of Phil Hogan to the European Commission. While Fianna Fail's Bobby Aylward is still favourite to take the seat, strong challenges are anticipated from Fine Gael, Sinn Fein and Renua. Here's Rory Costello's analysis.

09:14 BREAKING: strong indications from a reputable (neutral) source that early indications from Dublin North Central are that it's 65 to 70 per cent Yes there.

09:17 Early look at Tallies Dublin South/Rathdown polling at 2.5:1 in favour of YES #MarRef @YesEquality2015 @rtenews YES! pic.twitter.com/fIR2bpUosO — Cllr Chris Curran (@ChrisCurranSF) May 23, 2015



09:20 Looking like about 55% -60% YES in Meath East. On previous referenda we are slightly more positive than rest of country. #marref @labout — Dominic Hannigan (@Domhannigan) May 23, 2015



09:22 This picture tells the story so far. Landslide to yes in Dublin it appears #marref pic.twitter.com/aU7CIjIPVX — Marcas Mac Samhrain (@MarkGovern) May 23, 2015



09:26 Claire Quinn reports on early indications of yes vote in Waterford:



'Counting is well underway in Waterford with two out of 167 boxes tallied.

Early indications suggest that the yes vote in the marriage equality referendum is in the lead. The first box to be tallied came from Waterford city centre. Here the yes vote won out with 54 votes while 45 no votes were recorded.

Meanwhile, in the St. Paul's area of the city 81 yes votes were counted compared to 48 no votes.'

09:31 Our correspondent Fiach Kelly reports that Tiernan Brady of YesEquality says Ballyshannon and Bundoran in his native Donegal are going Yes. Fiach also says Nenagh is 60-40 Yes on early tallies, and Carrick-on-Suir is 77-33 in the first box

09:37 Our political correspondent Mary Minihan reports that in Ringsend the vote is approximately 66 per cent Yes, according to tallymen.

09:39 Mohill Co Leitrim ! yes 80..No 107#marref — Frank Feighan (@FrankFeighan) May 23, 2015



09:41 Elaine Keogh reports from Louth:

'Too early for anything close to a 10 percent tally yet but…



Two boxes in East Meath, from Laytown/Bettystown have shown a 2 to 1 vote in favour of Yes to marriage amendment.



One box from Rathmullen, Drogheda has a similar majority

However a rural box from Ardee has the Yes and No’s being very close together with the possibility that the No vote will shade it.



Very early days yet.'

09:43 Our reporter Marie O'Halloran in CityWest has this: 'In Dublin West with 13 per cent of boxes opened it is 73 per cent Yes to the marriage equality referendum. In Dublin Mid West the percentage in favour has increased to 70 per cent for, 30 per cent against.'

09:45 An indication of how quickly the result is emerging is that we're hearing the Taoiseach is expected to arrive soon at the count centre in Castlebar, where 14 boxes have been opened, and the tally is 56% Yes, 44% No.

09:49 The general consensus emerging is that the amendment to extend the right to marry to all couples regardless of gender will be passed with a two to one majority across the country.

09:51 Over a third of boxes have been opened in Longford.



51% Yes. 49% No. Split is

60-40 Urban Yes

60-40 Rural No

09:53 And here's Enda. Taoiseach chatting to count staff in Mayo Convention centre #castlebar #referendums pic.twitter.com/ZjdnvcsTWY — EileenMagnier (@EileenMagnier) May 23, 2015



09:59 #maref #tallytweets #louth LOUTH after 20 boxes - 12.5% of all boxes Mostly urban 63.5% YES 35.5% NO 1% Spoiled 6110 total votes — YesEquality Louth (@YesEqualLouth) May 23, 2015



10:03 Bryan O'Brien has just sent us this video from the RDS with Aodhan O'Riordan and David Norris. VIDEO: Great excitement at the RDS as ballot boxes are opened http://t.co/xg6qnO7n6Q via @IrishTimes — Hugh Linehan (@hlinehan) May 23, 2015



10:05 Local broadcaster KCLR is liveblogging the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection . It reports that with all Carlow boxes open, the tallies are: FF 24% FG 20 SF 19 LAB 17 REN 5.5 PBP 6

10:09 And this appears to be the official concession of defeat by the No campaign's most prominent spokesman. Congratulations to the Yes side. Well done. #MarRef — David Quinn (@DavQuinn) May 23, 2015



10:14 More tallies from Mary Minihan in Dublin: Tallymen figures: Ballyboden 78%

Ballinteer 74%

Rathfarnham 68%

Knocklyon 68

10:19 In Wicklow they've opened 50 boxes.

Tallies are running at 67% yes,

Arklow 63%, Bray 73%, Greystones 74%, Wicklow Town 71%

10:28 David Quinn of the Iona Institute and Mothers and Fathers Matter tells RTE he is 'quite philosophical' about the outcome, given that it was going to be an uphill battle against all the political parties, major corporations etc. Agrees that it looks like a two to to one Yes majority and congratulates the Yes campaign. He says he would hate to see something like the Ashers Bakery case happen in the Republic.

10:35 The Referendum Commission anticipates an official result will be announced at around 4pm.

10:41 Michael O'Regan reports from the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection count: 'Fianna Fáil candidate Bobby Aylward appears to be heading the poll, as the votes are sorted in the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection count.

With a number of Carlow boxes open, tally figures indicate Bobby Aylward is at 24 per cent, followed by Fine Gael’s David Fitzgerald at 20 per cent.

Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion is at 19 per cent.

Labour’s William Quinn, whose base is Carlow, is at 17 per cent, while Renua Ireland’s Patrick McKee is at six per cent.

Party activists stress the tally figures are based on a small sample of the Carlow vote.

With 13 candidates and a large electorate, the count is likely to be long, with transfers deciding the outcome.

While Mr Aylward is favourite, none of the main parties are prepared to predict the destination of the crucial transfers.

10:43 Overall Limerick City YES 63% Limerick County YES 55% #MarRef #TallyTweets — Fine Gael Limerick (@LimerickFG) May 23, 2015



10:48 I hope she's brought sandwiches. Just arrived at Dublin Castle for the official #MarRef announcement later - YAAAAS! ???? #YesEquality #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/bKhu5316r4 — Leanne Woodfull (@LeanneWoodfull) May 23, 2015



10:51 "I'm feeling emotional from my top down to my toes" @SenatorKZappone & Dr Anne Louise Gilligan #marref @KatieGHannon pic.twitter.com/bzSF4u26XV — Kevin Burns (@KevinBurns147) May 23, 2015



10:55 If this tweet turns out to be correct, is there a chance that every constitituency in the country could vote Yes? #dlsw #Marref Pettigo says Yes! Carrick says Yes! Kilcar says Yes! Kilkybegs says Yes! — AuntieDonegalSaysAYE (@AuntieDote) May 23, 2015



10:58 Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD saying from mayo it looks like ref will be carried. Praises those who travelled home. — harrymcgee (@harrymcgee) May 23, 2015



10:59 ALERTE Les Irlandais ont dit «yes» au mariage homosexuel http://t.co/WnSW2q1Kre pic.twitter.com/y6Hra1bhKd — Libération (@libe) May 23, 2015



11:03 Near full Carlow tally; FF 23.5% FG 18% SF 17% Lab 15% Renua 8.5% If that holds up in Kilkenny, seat should be Aylwards. #CK15 — Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) May 23, 2015



11:12 We have a new highest Yes vote in the country: Ranelagh 84.4% — Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) May 23, 2015



11:16 This just in from our correspondent in Carlow-Kilkenny, Michael O'Regan:

' Fianna Fail’s Bobby Aylward is heading the poll at 23.5 per cent as most of the Carlow boxes are sorted in the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection count.

He is followed by Fine Gael’s David Fitzgerald at 18 per cent, Sinn Fein’s Kathleen Funchion at 17 per cent, Labour’s William Quinn, whose base is Carlow, at 15 per cent, and Renua Ireland’s Patrick McKee at 8.5 per cent.

Party activists stress that Kilkenny, with two-thirds of the vote, will play a crucial role in the outcome and that it is early days yet in the count.

The Green Party once held a seat in the five-seat constituency, but its candidate Malcolm Noonan is reported to be polling poorly.'

11:21 Fiach Kelly tells us the latest figures from the RDS tallies show Yes at 67% in Dublin North Central, 72% in Dublin North East, 74% in Dublin South, with Dublin Central at 75%

11:24 Fiach Kelly's analysis of the Yes victory:



'

'The counting is continuing, but the smiles of all those who voted Yes are widening.

The chests of Yes campaigners are being pushed out; the tears and celebrations are likely to follow when confirmation of the results are announced in Dublin Castle.

Not only has Ireland has agreed to same-sex marriage, it has done so in a louder voice than many could have imagined, carried on the back of a remarkable turnout and an engagement by younger people not seen in years.

Following years of the politics of recession and bailout, the young were given something they could believe in, campaign for and vote for. And they did.'



Read the full article here.

11:25 Work on drafting Marriage Bill to begin on Monday. I'm told it will be enacted within 6 weeks, clearing the way for first same-sex marriage — Ruadhán Mac Cormaic (@RuadhanIT) May 23, 2015



11:46 Stephen Collins analyses the political impact of today's resounding Yes:

'Success has many fathers, and all the political parties will be claiming a share of the credit for the overwhelming victory of the Yes side in the same-sex marriage referendum. The Labour Party will feel that it deserves a greater return than anybody else for pushing the referendum onto the political agenda and effectively forcing its coalition partners, Fine Gael, to run with it.

The holding of a referendum on same-sex marriage was part of the Labour Party’s manifesto at the election, but it was not included as a commitment in the programme for government.

Former tánaiste Eamon Gilmore initially got a chilly response from Fine Gael when he suggested that same-sex marriage was the civil rights issue of this generation.

It was only after the Constitutional Convention recommended the change that the holding of a referendum in the lifetime of the Government became inevitable.'

Read the full article here.

12:00 My read on timetable: Marriage Act will pass in July, law into force Aug/Sep, then 3-month notice period. So first marriages by Christmas — Ruadhán Mac Cormaic (@RuadhanIT) May 23, 2015



12:12 VIDEO: Yes Yes Yes says Dublin. @fiachkelly reports from the RDS count centre http://t.co/Ijpnlcw4O3 via @IrishTimes — Hugh Linehan (@hlinehan) May 23, 2015



12:17 “I’ve no plans to get married or anything like that at the moment,” a very happy Minister for Health Leo Varadkar quipped as he described the expected Yes vote in the gay marriage referendum as an historic day for Ireland.

“I wanted to be an equal citizen in my own country and today I am,” he told reporters at the Citywest referendum count centre in south west Dublin.

Read Marie O'Halloran's full report here.

12:19 156 boxes of 254 opened in Cavan-Monaghan and the tally men say it’s perfectly balanced – 50:50.

12:27 Enda O'Dowd is out and about in Dublin city centre this sunny afternoon, capturing the atmosphere. @hlinehan pic.twitter.com/IsfSmzmCrx — Enda O'Dowd (@endajodowd) May 23, 2015



12:31 Mary Minihan has the final tally from Dublin South East. 74 per cent Yes vote, according to final tally in the constituency.

12:42 With 62 per cent of boxes tallied in Carlow-Kilkenny, we have the following numbers:

Aylward (FF) 25.5%

Fitzgerald (FG) 21%

Funchion (SF) 16.5%

Some boxes yet to come from strong Aylward country in south Kilkenny, so it's looking good for Fianna Fail.

12:48 Weather forecast: it might be a little frosty in parts of Inishbiggle tonight. Inishbiggle says No Yes - 2 votes No - 10 votes #MarRef — Western People (@WesternPeople) May 23, 2015



12:52 Conor Kane has been speaking to Independent TD and 'No' voter Mattie McGrath. Independent TD Mattie McGrath was one of few Oireachtas members to declare himself a “no” voter in the referendum and said today he “never expected” the no side to do much better than they have.

“The people have spoken,” Mr McGrath said today [Saturday] as he headed into RTÉ. “It’s great to see a good turnout. We have to congratulate the ‘yes’ side on their victory and hopefully the promises that were made by the government ministers will be kept now.”

Asked if he made a political mistake by opting for a “no” vote, even as his Tipperary South constituency looks to be approving same-sex marriage by a decisive margin, the TD said “no” and that opponents of the referendum were always up against it.

“I never expected it to be much better, with the whole weight of the political establishment and public sector [in favour], Google, you name it, the Garda Representative Association. You couldn’t fight that and move that mountain… I thought it might be even worse.”

He said that, for example, if 40pc of the people of Tipperary voted against the referendum, “that’s more than the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil support combined. Who’s going to represent them?”

13:11 Yes, this campaign pointed up some of the oddities of our broadcasting legislation, including the moratorium. V. interesting letter from David McRedmond on broadcasting moratorium operating in much changed world http://t.co/GyPszb2wPk via @IrishTimes — Kevin O'Sullivan (@KOSullivanIT) May 23, 2015



13:14 Here's the latest from Michael O'Regan at the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection count:

Fianna Fail’s Bobby Aylward is four points ahead of his Fine Gael rival David Fitzgerald, with 60 per cent of the boxes open in the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection.

According to tally figures, Mr Aylward has 25 per cent, Mr Fitzgerald 21 per cent, Sinn Fein’s Kathleen Funchion 17 per cent, Renua Ireland’s Patrick McKee 9.5 per cent, Labour’s William Quinn 9 per cent.

The boxes open are from Carlow, north Kilkenny, and some of those from Kilkenny city west and east.

The Kilkenny south boxes, yet to be opened, are expected to favour Mr Aylward, given that he comes from there.

Party activists say it is impossible so far to determine a pattern of transfers which will determine the outcome.

“Some kind of picture might emerge later, but so far transfers appear to be going in all directions,’’ said one of the tally people.

With 13 candidates and a large electorate, a final result is not likely to be known until, possibly, late tonight.

There are indications that Ms Funchion might be transferring significantly to Mr Fitzgerald as a strategic Sinn Féin tactic to block Mr Aylward. This would be on the basis that Fianna Fáil represents a greater threat to the onward electoral march of Sinn Féin than Fine Gael.

However, party activists on all sides stress it is too early to determine a definitive pattern.

The vacancy in the five-seat constituency was caused by the nomination of Fine Gael TD and minister for the environment Phil Hogan to the European Commission.

13:21 Tally suggest to me that Aylward won't be caught esp if south kilkenny not tallied. 26pc to 21pc. — harrymcgee (@harrymcgee) May 23, 2015



13:28 First official result is in. First official results are in! Dublin North West on 70.4% YES! #marref pic.twitter.com/za4FkINDb2 — LouiseMc (@louiedapalma) May 23, 2015



13:35 'That generosity the Yes Equality campaign was depending on came through. The decency of the Irish people was not limited to the liberal leafy suburbs of Dublin, nor the solidarity from the flats, but that decency came from the cliffs of Donegal, the lakes of Cavan, the farmyards of Kildare, the lanes of Kerry.'

From Una Mullaly's article on her experience of the campaign. Read the full piece here.

13:36 Coffee will be required. And sugar. Display for #MarRef, #PresRef & #CK15 is up & running with 1 result in! Woohoo. @IrishTimes Only 100 updates to go pic.twitter.com/yM4G0CnaPR — Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) May 23, 2015



13:48 An early appearance by @Bobby_aylward at #CK15 by-election. Victory in his sights? Transfers will tell the story pic.twitter.com/0p4gfsjGCA — Juliette Gash (@JuGashTodayFM) May 23, 2015



13:54 VIDEO: Eamon Gilmore celebrates with Yes campaigners http://t.co/89lQdj57YW via @IrishTimes — Hugh Linehan (@hlinehan) May 23, 2015



14:09 Crowd very excited now ahead of #MarRef official result announcement. pic.twitter.com/xhMNZlyN7H — Emily Dugan (@emilydugan) May 23, 2015



14:14 'The proposal to reduce the minimum age for presidential candidates was always going to be the orphan referendum as the nation focused on the more intriguing same-sex marriage poll.'

Read Mary Minihan's full article here.

14:20 No side's Ronan Mullen 'there is a problem that 1/3 of voters were not represented by 1/3 of the politicians' #MarRef pic.twitter.com/NKOPs7cWpu — mary minihan (@minihanmary) May 23, 2015



14:23 Latest tallies from Carlow-Kilkenny, with 97% of boxes tallied: FF 28% FG 21% SF 16% Renua 9.4% Lab 6.5% Grn 5.3%

14:27 The Irish Times is inviting readers abroad to share their reaction to the results. Are you proud of Ireland today? Does it change your opinion of the country in any way? If you are a LGBT person living abroad, would it affect your decision to stay abroad or come back here to live? Or if you supported the No side, are you disappointed? Have your say on the results here.

14:32 Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015



14:34 Longford-Westmeath full tally Yes 53.92%

No 46.08% Turnout 50.6%

14:38 Ronan Mullen: 'Some Yes campaigners might be tempted to say Catholic Ireland was executed today+will be buried in humanist ceremony' #MarRef — mary minihan (@minihanmary) May 23, 2015



14:52 It's all kicking off at Dublin Castle Panti turned away from side entrance. Heading for main entrance of Castle. #marref pic.twitter.com/g7FBIsY7hY — Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) May 23, 2015



14:57 Irish Polls Flooded With Yes Votes In Historic Gay Marriage Vote- it's looking good Panti:),Tá!!! http://t.co/ASQSKbXFti — Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 23, 2015



15:07 RESULT: Sligo-North Leitrim Turnout: 57.78 Yes: 53.57 No:46.43

Waterford Turnout: 59.37 Yes: 60.33 No: 39.67

15:13 If you want to keep an eye out for real-time results from the marriage referendum, you'll find our interactive constituency map and results table here.

15:23 Based on a rough estimate by the few tally people that are here, across the two constituencies in Tipperary the breakdown is expected to be 55.6pc Yes and 44.4pc No, reports Conor Kane.

15:25 ►VID: "I love you inside and out, head to toe I don't want to waste another minute of my life without you as my wife" http://t.co/I9RWdPp5xb — Irish Times Video (@irishtimesvideo) May 23, 2015



15:45 Joyous scenes at Dublin Castle in this video tweeted by Senator David Norris. What an atmosphere at Dublin Castle #MarRef pic.twitter.com/pLQO7Jniqo — Senator David Norris (@SenDavidNorris) May 23, 2015



15:47 Forget Eurovision. They're cheering for Ireland in Vienna today. Panti Power in Vienna! #MARREF pic.twitter.com/1EbobjTvzv — Joey Gleeson (@joeygleeson) May 23, 2015



15:54 Cork North-Central: Yes 63.77% , No 36.23%, Turnout 59.87%

Mayo: Yes 52.02%, No 47.98%, Turnout 57.48%

15:56 Huge crowds trying to get into dublin castle pic.twitter.com/AsdRSwnAAx — Enda O'Dowd (@endajodowd) May 23, 2015



16:05 The results are rolling in to applause and cheers from the crowd at Dublin Castle. It's another #YES... Wexford votes are in! #MarRef pic.twitter.com/bQ14t6qi9R — Today FM (@todayfmofficial) May 23, 2015



16:06 Wexford: Yes 63.59%, No 36.41%, Turnout 57.82%

16:07 Result! In fact, lots of results from around the country right here: http://t.co/viGsx4m7iC pic.twitter.com/aJLj2RZhFw — The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) May 23, 2015



16:12 Here's the Senator again. "Ireland is a poster for the rest of the world" - Senator David Norris enjoying the crowd at Dublin Castle #MarRef pic.twitter.com/MDYixrUxan — RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2015



16:26 This is one of the more remarkable results today. Donegal North-East has voted Yes 52.54%, No 47.46%, Turnout 51.44%. The word is that Donegal South-West is too close to call, with less than 30 votes between the two sides.

16:27 Louth: Yes 63.46%, No 36.54%, Turnout 59.92%

16:31 And here's that result from Donegal South-West: Yes 50.1%, 49.9% Turnout 51.6% with just 36 votes between Yes and No.

16:35 Harry McGee argues that this has been the moment where the social media phenomenon has come into its own in an Irish electoral contest.

'There is no doubt digital platforms have played an increasing role in Irish election campaigns over the past decade, but their impact has been relatively limited compared to more traditional means of communication such as broadcasting and newspapers (although increasing numbers now consume news online).'

Read the full article here.

16:42 Hugs, tears, emotions, knot in tummy dissolving... By 37 votes Donegal South West said YES! #dlsw #marref pic.twitter.com/Gn6myuBs7Z — AuntieDonegalSaysAYE (@AuntieDote) May 23, 2015



16:44 First results of presidency referendum are coming in now. Tipp North and South have voted No with 77% voting No in each constituency.

16:50 One constituency in Ireland has voted No in the marriage referendum. In Roscommon-South Leitrim, the result is: No 51.42%, Yes 48.58%, Turnout 61.49%.

17:01 Fianna Fail candidate Bobby Aylward looking good for Carlow Kilkenny byelection seat, says party leader Micheal Martin #ck15 — mary minihan (@minihanmary) May 23, 2015



17:05 I'm going to hand over now to Dan Griffin, who'll be covering the results and reaction for the rest of the evening,

17:20 Thanks for that, Hugh. With an official declaration of a Yes vote due shortly we'll also be providing updates through the evening and into the night as counting continues in the Presidential age referendum and the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election.

17:24 Cavan Monoghan votes in favour of same-sex marriage--just. 50.6 per cent for Yes there and 49.4 per cent voting No.

17:31 Dublin South Central returns a somewhat more emphatic Yes vote with 72.3 per cent.

17:34 With just a handful of constituencies yet to declare, the imminent outcome of the same-sex marriage referendum has garnered global attention, leading news sites on both sides of the Atlantic. The Guardian says a historic Yes vote is certain while the referendum is also the main story on the homepage of the New York Times

17:34

17:43 It looks extraordinary – little Ireland becoming the first country in the world to support same sex marriage by direct popular vote. But actually it’s about the ordinary. Ireland has redefined what it means go be an ordinary human being, writes Fintan O'Toole

17:49 .@BrianODriscoll joins the colourful crowds at Dublin Castle for the #MarfRef results pic.twitter.com/LlwD8ikh6e — Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) May 23, 2015

17:50 Dublin South East had the highest Yes vote in the country with 74.9 per cent.

18:00 With the Six One bulletin about to begin on RTÉ1, time to pause for the Angelus and reflect on the outcome of Ireland's historic same-sex marriage vote...

18:01 Republic of IRELAND leads the world in social progress by legalizing marriage for all. #LoveWins (shouldn't it always?) — Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) May 23, 2015

18:05 With three constituencies yet to declare the current tally is 62.3 per cent Yes and 37.7 per cent No with Roscommon-South Leitrim the sole constituency to return a majority No vote.

18:15 The UK Independent has compiled a run down of the British celebrities expressing their admiration for the Irish Yes vote, Ian McKellen, Sam Smith, Richard Branson, Stephen Fry...

18:23 It will be interesting to see whether the referendum result will lead to the "wake up" call that Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin was now required. Speaking to RTÉ earlier, Martin, who never came across as a particularly enthusiastic No voter, said "this is a social revolution... the church has a huge task in front of it get its message across to young people ... The church needs to do a reality check.”

18:27 Meanwhile, in Carlow-Kilkenny, it looks like Bobby Aylward is set to edge the by-election. The result of the first count is yet to come but the Fianna Fáil candidate is ahead according to the tallies. That will obviously come as a relief to Micheál Martin, whose party has been on the losing end of a string of by-elections in recent years.

18:33 Iona patron and Irish Times columnist Breda O'Brien says the No side were always facing an uphill battle and concedes that today is the Yes campaign's day But she adds that the 700,000 people who voted no were trying to make a point about the importance of mothers and fathers. She adds that it's important now to look at them and ask what's happening to democracy when 700,000 people are only supported by six parliamentarians.

18:35 When they announce the final result, the crowd in Dublin Castle had BETTER descend into a insane Matrix 2-style rave. — Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) May 23, 2015

18:38 The official declaration should--SHOULD--be made in the next few minutes as the three outstanding Cork results have been sent to Dublin.

18:42 I was awarded the freedom of Roscommon. Martin McAleese has the same honour. In protest to county's No vote, we're french-kissing right now. — chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 23, 2015

18:46 They're belting out the national anthem now in Dublin Castle with the final result announcement imminent.

18:51 Leo Varadkar, who seems have slipped into a more casual jacket and t-shirt combo, is on the news now, saying the Irish people as a whole have embraced the values of our republic. He says the result seems to mark an end of the traditional cultural divide with a big Yes vote in Dublin and one or two of the other cities and a No in the rest of the country.

18:51 Leo is actually performing pretty well as a news reporter here too.

18:53 Here we go now... the final declaration...

18:57 The total poll: 1,949,725 Invalid votes: 13,818 Valid poll: 1,935,907 Yes: 1,201,607 No: 734,300 Majority of votes in favour: 467,307

19:00 And now, national returning officer Riona Ni Fhlanghaile announces to inexplicable guffawing from the floor, we come to the main event: the referendum on the age of presidential candidates.

19:06 US Congressman Brendan Boyle, whose father is from Donegal, on #MarRef... https://t.co/BjqQI09MZE — Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) May 23, 2015

19:06 I bet there will be a few marriage proposals in the pubs of Dublin tonight. What a lovely thought. Enjoy the celebrations, Ireland. — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 23, 2015

19:11 A quick look at the first count, eliminating four candidates. #ck15 pic.twitter.com/aUmCg3z7g5 — KCLR 96FM (@kclr96fm) May 23, 2015

19:18 There will be a press conference with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton taking place shortly, if you've any interest in that at all.

19:24 Here's the one we've been waiting for: Longford Westmeath has resoundlingly, comprehensively said NO NO NO to reducing the age of eligibility for candidates in presidential elections from 35 to 21. 76 per cent of voters there were having none of it.

19:33 Ireland did it! The 1st country to legalize marriage equality by popular vote, but they won't be the last! What an incredible accomplishment — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 23, 2015

19:38 Tánaiste Joan Burton references California gay rights trailblazer Harvey Milk who said hope will never be silent. "Today hope in Ireland is louder than it's ever been," she says.

19:41 Enda Kenny is quoting Bill Withers. Vincent Browne is singing Ole Ole Ole in The George. Says it all really. #MarRef — Brian O'Connell (@oconnellbrian) May 23, 2015

19:44 Enda Kenny, asked whether Ireland is now "the best small country in which to be gay", says for gay men and lesbian women "it's certainly better than it was yesterday".

19:57 Praise from Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi... #MarRef https://t.co/3N0wkYkvle — Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) May 23, 2015

20:00 And with eight of the 43 constituencies counted in the presidential age referendum it looks like the nays have it: Yes 24 per cent, No 75 per cent.

20:07 Here are some images of the day's celebrations in Dublin.

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20:10 Unless some very unusual voting patterns emerge, Fianna Fáil's Bobby Aylward is going to win that Carlow-Kilkenny seat, writes Harry McGee

20:17 Going out tonight? A 'noceur' is a person who stays up late at night. — The OED (@OED) May 23, 2015

20:22 There are 20 constituencies in now for the presidential age vote. No is way ahead, way way ahead.

20:29 I wonder will anything be said after that proposal is officially rejected. Possibly not, it might get lost in all the excitement of the same-sex result but the Government was, in theory, campaigning for a Yes vote. In normal circumstances such a defeat would be embarrassing to say the least. I suppose these are far from normal circumstances though.

20:30 Anyway, the results of the second count in Carlow-Kilkenny have just been announced with no candidate reaching the quota.

20:40 35 constituencies done in the presidential referendum. "They've just dumped a pile of them in one go there," says my colleague here in the office.

20:46 And what do they say? Well, 74 per cent for No which means we'll continue to only have salty old veterans of age 35 and older as our presidents. The turnout, of 60.41 per cent appears to be marginally, as in just about, lower than the same-sex referendum (60.52 per cent) so does that mean some people voted in the marriage poll and didn't bother voting in the presidential age one?

20:52 They're flying through the presidential age count. Only three constituencies left. There must be a declaration on the way shortly. I wonder how many people are left in Dublin Castle though.

21:02 How Ireland voted in the #MarRef. Full results table and map: http://t.co/EDDktytoh0 pic.twitter.com/1f1P1IjH89 — The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) May 23, 2015

21:07 And here comes the official declaration in the presidential age referendum.

21:10 Total poll: 1,948438 Invalid ballots: 15, 938 Valid ballots: 1,933, 500 Yes: 520,898 No: 1,412,602 Majority against: 891,704

21:21 Three counts in and Bobby Aylward is still holding firm with a lead of about 5,000 or so votes in Carlow-Kilkenny.

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21:35 Taoiseach Enda Kenny has hailed the passing of the Same-sex Marriage Referendum as a “sound of pioneering leadership” from Ireland to the rest of the world, writes Fiach Kelly

21:36 Gay priest Fr Martin Dolan has said he now feels accepted in Irish society following the Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum.

21:37 Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the presidential age referendum got “sidelined” because attention was focused on the same-sex marriage poll, writes Mary Minihan

21:44 Michael Martin and Bobby Aylward at Kilkenny Count, expecting but not yet declaring victory pic.twitter.com/3fmTK1LFcH — Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) May 23, 2015