Irish Marriage Referendum: Those Media Cliches In Full

And thousands cheered in celebration, gaily waving rainbow flags...

Let's not forget the politicians and campaigners who helped make this happen...

And the ones who didn't but still butt in...

An important day in Ireland. Sends a great message that #equality matters. #equalmarriage

— Nicky Morgan (@NickyMorgan01) May 23, 2015

Hectic scenes at Dublin Airport... #hometovote

Meme of these two dudes leaving a polling station...

Little old lady in a rainbow cardy...

But #VoteNo campaigners were also out in force...

Obligatory gay media sentimental twaddle involving a kid; 'heartwarming', 'adorable' etc etc..

And those all important supporting tweets from celebs...

WONDERFUL news for Ireland. Now everyone...GO GET MARRIED #LoveWins ❤❤❤👬

— Tom Daley (@TomDaley1994) May 23, 2015

And finally, a rainbow appeared over the streets of Dublin...

Ireland: Their Sunday Papers

Via Tom Hayes. x

Fagburn doesn't think a question of equal rights should have gone to a referendum, but loves the way this says to homophobes... OI! YOU'VE LOST! GAME OVER!!

PS Here's The Irish Sun's hilariously crap 'marriage referendum party playlist', includes Born This Way, Gay Bar, I'm Coming Out, and err, Snow Patrol!

Ireland: Excitement Mounts As The Count Begins

Telegraph.

But this referendum was about more than just the right to marry. Much, much more. It was the manifestation of a social revolution that’s been simmering away in Ireland for some time.

It used to be that Irishness was defined by affection for the Catholic Church and resistance to European liberal trends. So stubborn was this identity that the country took longer than the rest of Western Europe to embrace secularism. But the paedophile revelations of the 1990s rightly rocked faith in the Church as an institution, while a series of recent scandals shook faith in its actual theology...

Shake off the last remnants of traditional religious authority, it was reasoned, and Ireland could finally join the 21st century. Au revoir, Father Ted.

To emphasise, the Yes vote was undoubtedly a reflection of growing tolerance towards gays and lesbians. But it was also a politically trendy, media backed, well financed howl of rage against Catholicism. How the Church survives this turn, is not clear. It'll require a lot of hard work and prayers.

Tim Stanley, young fogeyish Christian bore in residence, The Daily Telegraph.

In fine: Ireland to the Pope; 'SCREW YOU!'

Eurovision: Vote No!

Modern Toss, The Guardian Guide.

Thankfully Fagburn's off to see Sleaford Mods tonight.

Ireland: Vote Yes!

Dear Irish people,

If the history of our two nations teaches us anything, it is surely that there is nothing you lot like better than being told what to do by English people - so may I join with so many of my fellow countrymen (and ladies!) and implore you to go out today and VOTE YES!

Fagburn.

PS Not sure I can document all the happy clappy huzzahs in the papers today, so here's a rare piece of uncommon sense, A referendum is not the way to go when it comes to gay rights or minority issues, Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Guardian, Comment Is Free.