#hometovote: Irish abroad return to vote in gay marriage referendum

Irish people living overseas have been tweeting news of their journeys home to vote in same-sex marriage poll.

Irish citizens have been sharing photographs and stories on social media as they travel home to vote in the gay marriage referendum.

Ireland could become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a referendum. More than 3 million people are eligible to vote, including 60,000 expats. Those who have left the country less than 18 months ago are able to vote in the referendum, but need to show up at a polling station in person.

Before the vote on Friday, Twitter was filled with pictures of people returning home to have their say on gay marriage, with some decorating their trains accordingly. Others, upon their return, found their parents had decorated for them. 

The account @gettheboat2vote Twitter account has been encouraging Irish citizens overseas to travel home and has also been sharing their stories. According to these tweets, Irish expats have been travelling from far and wide to vote. Some who were unable to vote because they could not get back to Ireland have been encouraging others to vote yes with the hashtag #BeMyYes

The referendum result is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon. The Guardian

Yes supporters gather in Dublin Castle square as the referendum on same-sex marriage has been massively approved by Irish voters. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Ireland becomes first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote

Irish voters have decisively voted in favour of marriage equality, making Ireland the first country to do so through the ballot box. Only one of the 43 constituencies voted against the proposal – Roscommon-South Leitrim – while the yes vote exceeded 70% in many parts of Dublin. The no campaigners have paid tribute to their opponents, and the archbishop of Dublin has said the result should be a wake-up call for the Catholic church in Ireland.

All the results are in, and the returning officer, Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, has declared that Ireland has passed the same-sex marriage referendum by 1,201,607 votes to 734,300. That’s 62.1% yes to 37.9% no. The total turnout was 60.5%. The Guardian

+Ireland says yes to same-sex marriage -in pictures