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20th December 2016
12:10am GMT
Ah, the marriage referendum. A fine time to be alive for not only us, but for the people of the world.
May 23, 2015 – the day after the country went to the polls – will always be remembered as the time our nation held its breath, and then cried, a lot. Followed by swirling flags and dancing in the streets, of course.
A greater thing may not happen in our lifetime. And here's why.
In the run up to the deadline, more than 65,000 voters joined the supplementary electoral register in advance of the referendum.
This equates to some 2,000 new voters having joined the register every single day. Phenomenal stuff.
Ireland, on May 23, made global history, after becoming the first country to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote.
Just over 62% supported changing the Constitution, with over 1.2 million people – yes 1.2 MILLION – turning out in support of marriage equality.
Planes, trains and automobiles were overbooked and full to the brim with homecomers from all over the world ready to have their say in Ireland's future.
And it made for some pretty heart-warming watching.
Widely accepted as the face of the referendum, Rory O'Neill took the world by storm both by his fabulous alter ego Panti Bliss and by his humble self.
Panti was later crowned Queen of Ireland by all those around her – she even gave a televised speech on Christmas Day, like her British counterpart – as an act of appreciation and non stop hard work for the greater good, love.
AND later take a selfie.
Talk about our dream dinner party.
A big year for Ms Bliss.
Even ministers.
The result of the referendum was viewed as a triumph of decency, optimism and acceptance. And we as a country are stronger, and sounder, than ever before.
Ireland has always been a prime wedding location what with our romantic backdrops with fondness for a good time, but after the referendum passed, The Emerald Isle suddenly became an international hotspot for same-sex couples – who tend to outspend their heterosexual counterparts.
And for a country that's seen serious low points fiscally over the past decade or two, this can only mean good things.
Made a change to the grey commute to work.
We always were a witty breed.
Pic: Dailyedge.ie
And the whole country being generally besotted with one another for weeks afterwards. It's almost like it was everybody's wedding!
Last box in limerick finished. Marked with a proposal. :) #lkcy pic.twitter.com/Io92DTMQdg
— John (@irishhooligan) May 23, 2015
Des Bishop and Pat Carey on RTE. Des: "There's no story here folks". . No proposal #MarRef pic.twitter.com/yexHoSspxY
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) May 23, 2015
As well as kissed, hand-held and lovingly gazed at one another in their newfound home.
YouTube series Martin's Life effortlessly explains Irish parents take on the whole referendum experience.
Making the land of a hundred, thousand welcomes that bit more welcoming.
Stating that "I think everyone should be equal". And the aul ones of the country followed suit.
A vast statement, but so very true.
And so says a Bishop, so you know it's legit.
Not an easy task, for anyone. But boy, did they do it in style.
Praising what WE DID.
Anyway, all this constituency stuff is redundant. So very #proudtobeIrish today. *throws accusing glare towards South Leitrim. #YESFORLOVE
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 23, 2015
I proudly raise a pint glass of Guinness and toast the people of Ireland for voting by a sweeping majority to legalize same sex marriage!
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) May 23, 2015
We welcome Ireland's support for equality. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/11IhOv4yHm
— VP Biden (Archived) (@VP44) May 23, 2015
Classy Mother Erin. X pic.twitter.com/NJBe9zM32e
— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) May 23, 2015
IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Ellen Page (@EllenPage) May 23, 2015
Took the words right out of our mouth, Aodhán.
Ireland hasn't just said "Yes"...
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) May 23, 2015
Ireland has said:
"F??CK YEAAHHHH"
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