Photos: Ireland approves gay marriage
Country became first nation to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote.
Ireland votes to approve gay marriage
Yes supporters react at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
Approval
Partners Adrian, left and Shane, arrive to cast their vote at a polling station in Drogheda, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015. Ireland began voting Friday in a referendum on Gay marriage which will require an amendment to the Irish constitution. Opinion polls throughout the two-month campaign suggest the government-backed amendment should be approved by the required majority of voters when results are announced Saturday.
Supporters
Yes supporters wait for the final result at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
Pounding the pavement
Members of the Yes Equality campaign begin canvassing in the center of Dublin, Ireland, Thursday May 21, 2015. People from across the Republic of Ireland will vote Friday in a referendum on the legalization of gay marriage, a vote that pits the power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded Irish government of Enda Kenny.
Newleyweds
Newlyweds Ann Cole and Vincent Fox cast their vote at a polling station in Dublin, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015. Ireland began voting Friday in a referendum on Gay marriage which will require an amendment to the Irish constitution. For months, Ireland has debated whether to legalize gay marriage. Now it's time to vote, and the choice is a simple yes or no. Friday's referendum on amending the Irish constitution to give marriage rights to homosexuals is expected to be approved, based on opinion polls that consistently gave "yes" voters a double-digit lead throughout the two-month campaign.
Casting their vote
Carmelite sisters cast their vote at a polling station in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015. Ireland began voting Friday in a referendum on Gay marriage which will require an amendment to the Irish constitution.
Baited breath
Yes supporters react at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
Castle walls
In this Tuesday, May 19, 2015 photo, a mural depicting a lesbian couple, a 46 feet high print made of biodegradable paper with a potato-based adhesive made by artist Joe Caslin, is seen on the wall of the 15th century Caher Castle, Caherkinmonwee, Galway, Ireland. Barely a generation ago, Ireland listed homosexual acts as a crime and made gays lead secret lives or emigrate to more liberal lands. But on Friday, May 22, 2015, in the world’s first national referendum on the matter, the Irish could vote to legalize same-sex marriage. The contest has pit the waning power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
The "no" vote
In this Tuesday, May 19, 2015 photo, no campaign posters are seen in the village of Knock, Ireland, Barely a generation ago, Ireland listed homosexual acts as a crime and made gays lead secret lives or emigrate to more liberal lands. But on Friday, May 22, 2015, in the world’s first national referendum on the matter, the Irish could vote to legalize same-sex marriage. The contest has pit the waning power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Prime minister, deputy prime minister
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, right, and Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton celebrate at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
Wall mural
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, a gay rights mural decorates the side of a building in central Dublin, Ireland. Barely a generation ago, Ireland listed homosexual acts as a crime and made gays lead secret lives or emigrate to more liberal lands. But on Friday, May 22, 2015, in the world’s first national referendum on the matter, the Irish could vote to legalize same-sex marriage. The contest has pit the waning power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Exultant
Yes supporters celebrate after the final result at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
Celebration day
Yes supporters celebrate at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote.
"No union is more profound than marriage," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion.
Ireland approves gay marriage
Yes supporters celebrate after the final result at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize …