Ireland made history Saturday May 23, by becoming the first country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage through a national election.
While 18 other countries have legalized gay marriage, Saturday’s election marks a turning point, and other European countries are now expected to hold similar elections.
After the votes were counted, more 60 percent of the more 3 million people eligible to vote went to the polls, and nearly two-thirds voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, according to the New York Times.
Thirty-eight-year-old Irish actor Colin Farrell, whose brother Eamon is gay, told E! News of the decision:
Today Ireland has opened up her heart in a way that the whole world will feel… How we have changed our fortune in 24 hours, how we have lit the way, how we have guaranteed a brighter and more loving future for all who call this beautiful land home. Bravo citizens of Ireland.
A number of other celebrities took to social media Saturday to congratulate Irish voters for adopting the law, many of them from the United States:
Republic of IRELAND leads the world in social progress by legalizing marriage for all. #LoveWins (shouldn't it always?)
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) May 23, 2015
Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015
#Ireland leads the way!! I'm so PROUD to be Irish!! #equality pic.twitter.com/tXHjXXogYW
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) May 23, 2015
So happy Ireland have passed the law to get married there. Still genuinely shocks me thou, that this is only just happening!!
— Sam Smith (@samsmith) May 23, 2015
I ❤️ Ireland https://t.co/dmgghyL4z4
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) May 23, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS to the Republic on saying yes to same-gender marriage! Now what about Northern Ireland?
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) May 23, 2015
Ireland did it! The 1st country to legalize marriage equality by popular vote, but they won't be the last! What an incredible accomplishment
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 23, 2015
As an Irish-American woman who spread her father's ashes in #Ireland, I couldn't be prouder today! #LGBT #MarRef @HRC @GLAAD @TrevorProject
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 23, 2015
Congratulations Ireland! The journey the country has made during my lifetime leaves me so very proud, happy and amazed. Group hug!!!!
— graham norton (@grahnort) May 23, 2015
Great to see the people of Ireland voting to live in a country where everybody is treated equally #MarRef #YesEquality
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) May 23, 2015
Here at #HayFestival – almost no signal but news in that Ireland’s Yes Campaign has carried the day. So so happy. Oscar smiles in his grave.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) May 23, 2015
Go Ireland go! Show the world how to lead with love. So proud to be Irish today. ἴ💍👬👭✌❤️ #marriageequality #IrelandVoteYes
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) May 22, 2015
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