When was gay marriage legalized in ireland

It is 10 years since people in the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in an historic referendum. It was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Some 5, same-sex marriages have taken place since. BBC News NI has been speaking to some couples who tied the knot.

In , Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage through a national referendum vote. The Constitution of Ireland, adopted in , was heavily influenced by Catholic social teaching and aligned with the values of the majority of citizens at the time. Article 44 accorded a special position to the Catholic Church as the guardian of faith. Homosexuality and abortion were criminal offenses.

In Ireland, private citizens advise parliament on policy. The births of his two sons. Afternoons spent with his grandchildren. And an autumn day in that began like most others, with Finbarr driving his postal van through the small Irish town of Macroom.

More than gay and lesbian couples were registered to get married in Ireland in the next two weeks as Monday marked the first day they could legally do so. Last May, the predominantly Catholic country became the first nation in history to grant marriage equality by popular vote. Although a strong core of clerics and religious officials were vehemently against it, six months ago, 62 percent of Irish voters signaled their support for extending marriage rights to gay couples. The commencement order for the Marriage Equality Act was finally signed by Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald in Dublin last week, making same-sex marriage a reality.