DUBLIN, Ireland—In a historic vote, Irish voters appeared to say yes to marriage equality,

While the counting isn't done yet, an early vote count on Saturday showed a groundswell of support for same-sex marriage.

David Quinn, a prominent No campaigner and head of the Catholic Iona Institute, appeared to concede defeat early Saturday, tweeting "Congratulations to the Yes side. Well done."

Congratulations to the Yes side. Well done. #MarRef — David Quinn (@DavQuinn) May 23, 2015

Irish voters celebrated on Saturday with one government minister tweeting:

Ireland hasn't just said "Yes"... Ireland has said: "F❤️CK YEAAHHHH" — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) May 23, 2015

Joan O’Connell, a yes campaigner from just south of Dublin, was ecstatic by the early result. "I’m elated and relieved," she said on Saturday. "Just to see that level of acceptance from Irish people — it’s fantastic. It just shows that people are really fair-minded. Love has conquered all."

Grainne Healy of the Yes Equality campaign was also over-joyed. "This is about the kind of Ireland we want to live in," she said.

Yes campaigner Grainne Healy speaks after the vote

Members of the public gathered at Dublin Castle in anticipation of the announcement of the official results:

What an atmosphere at Dublin Castle #MarRef pic.twitter.com/pLQO7Jniqo — Senator David Norris (@SenDavidNorris) May 23, 2015

Almost as soon as the first boxes were opened and sorted in the main Dublin City count centre in Ballsbridge, it was clear that it was going to be a big win for the Yes campaign.

Campaigners and political parties estimate a turnout of registered voters of more than 60% with many areas showing up to 70% voting in favor of amending the Irish constitution to allow same-sex marriage.

With this vote, Ireland becomes the first country in the world to approve same-sex marriage by popular ballot — something that would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago in this strongly Catholic country where homosexual activity was decriminalized as late as 1993.

vote at a polling station in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015

Many Irish abroad had traveled thousands of miles back to Ireland to vote as absentee ballots were not allowed and the #hometovote campaign was especially emotional.

This is the scene on the 9:10 London to Holyhead train as Irish abroad return #hometovote #marref pic.twitter.com/spVfkb5sIT — Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) May 22, 2015

On my way #hometovote from Ethiopia! Wrecked tired, almost crying reading my Twitter feed, itching to vote! #MarRef — Clare Cullen/Clisare (@Clisare) May 22, 2015

All joking aside - #hometovote is truly inspiring. There'll be some craic in Ireland this weekend! — Colm Keegan (@Colm_Keegan) May 22, 2015

The question on the ballot was whether the voter agreed with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex."

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

Looks like it'll be a very proud day to be Irish! Well done to our country! #MarRef #YesEquality — Colin o'donoghue (@colinodonoghue1) May 23, 2015

Congratulations Ireland! The journey the country has made during my lifetime leaves me so very proud, happy and amazed. Group hug!!!! — graham norton (@grahnort) May 23, 2015

The pure joy of it. I'm so proud of Ireland today... We can all take pride in making history. Only sorry I can't be there to celebrate! — Hozier (@Hozier) May 23, 2015

So happy Ireland have passed the law to get married there. Still genuinely shocks me thou, that this is only just happening!! — SAM SMITH (@samsmithworld) May 23, 2015

Congratulations to the people of Ireland, after voting for same-sex marriage, making clear you are equal if you are straight or gay. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 23, 2015

Ireland passed civil partnership legislation in 2010.