Victory: Monnine Griffith (left) and Clodagh Robinson (right) celebrate at the Dublin City count centre ahead of the landslide victory for Ireland
Erin Reedy (left) and Dee Campbell (right) were among those celebrating in the sunshine at Dublin Castle as the result became clearer
Ireland's equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result became clear, showing his opinion on the early results
Celebrations: Early results suggest the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed following the historic referendum in Ireland
In Dublin (pictured), the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage while in many other parts of the country the constitutional amendment was expected to be passed by about two to one
Ireland
has become the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by
popular vote after more than 1.2million people overwhelmingly backed
allowing same-sex unions in a historic referendum.
Ballots
from all 43 constituencies have now been counted and official figures
show 62.1 per cent supported the reform, with the highest turnout at a
referendum in Ireland in over two decades.
Celebrations
spilled out into the streets as 'Yes' supporters gathered in the
grounds of Dublin Castle, cheering and waving rainbow flags, while the
results from the landslide victory came through.
Ireland's
equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result
became clear, tweeting: 'Ireland hasn't just said "Yes"... Ireland has
said: "F*** YEAAHHHH"'.
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A couple celebrate with a kiss as it began to become clear that the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed
Gay rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as results filtered through to those waiting outside the main count in the capital
Yes: Supporters for same-sex marriage Helen Kelleher (left) and Elin Adler (right) share a kiss as they celebrate outside a gay bar in Dublin
Pleased: Gay rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote this afternoon
Smooch: A gay couple kiss outside a count centre in Dublin after Ireland overwhelmingly back same-sex unions in a landslide victory
Equality: Around 2,000 Yes supporters gathered at Dublin Castle, which was opened to the public by the Irish government
Unite: Two women kiss as the results continued to pour in with just one constituency in 43 voting against same-sex marriage
Rory O'Neill, known by her drag persona Pantie Bliss, celebrates with yes supporters at Dublin Castle this afternoon
Gay rights campaigners - and even a little baby in a carrier - celebrate the result with more than 62 per cent voting in favour of gay marriage
Painstaking: Counting of ballots started at 9am and the full official results are expected to be confirmed on Saturday evening
Legalising gay marriage is a seismic change in Ireland, where the Church remains a powerful force. Homosexuality was illegal until 1993 and divorce until 1996, and abortion is banned except where the mother's life is in danger
At last: Gay couple Michael Barron and Jamie Nanci, who married in Cape Town, embrace after Ireland voted in favour of allowing gay marriage
Equality: In Dublin, the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage, with men embracing as they celebrated
Two Carmelite Nuns cast their votes in Ireland's gay marriage referendum yesterday morning, with thouasnds voting across the nation
A high voter turnout was recorded across the country, with a huge increase in young people voting on the issue of gay marriage
Wedding: Newlyweds Ann Cole and Vincent Fox prepare to cast their vote at a polling station in Dublin just hours after getting married themselves
Civil partners Paul Higgins and Richard Lucey shared a kiss as they cast their votes at a polling station yesterday
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967 and had its first same-sex unions last year
Irish voters were asked whether they support or reject a change to the country's constitution, so it would read: 'Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.'
The constitution's definition of family will not be changed, including a section that states a woman's place is at home.
Other countries have held referendums on gay marriage, including Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia, where same-sex unions were voted against by the electorate.
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967.
The first gay marriages in Britain took place last year but they are still outlawed in Northern Ireland.
In a separate referendum also being held today, voters are being asked their views on proposals to reduce the age limit on who can stand for the presidency from 35 to 21.
source: Daily mail