The votes are in and counting has started in Ireland in the country’s referendum on gay marriage. It is the first time a popular vote has been used to decide if a constitution should be changed to allow same-sex marriage.

The vote comes just two decades after homosexual acts were decriminalized in Ireland. The national media is predicting one of the highest turnouts for a referendum – around 60 percent in the capital Dublin.

It’s believed that will favour the Yes vote while opinion polls pointed to a majority of as much as two-to-one in favour. One couple tied the knot and then voted.

“This is just about equality. Nobody told us whether we could or couldn’t get married and we think everybody should have the same choice. If you want to you should be able to get married to the person you love just like we have today. It is a really simple matter and it is just about equality,” said bride Ann Cole.

Gay marriage has been backed by all the political parties. The Roman Catholic Churc