Today, Ireland is voting in a referendum on whether to bring in marriage equality. If the referendum succeeds, Ireland would become the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote.
Irish people living all over the world have decided to head home to vote.
This is the scene on the 9:10 London to Holyhead train as Irish abroad return #hometovote #marref pic.twitter.com/spVfkb5sIT
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) May 22, 2015
They crowded out Ireland's airports and stations on their way home to make their voices heard.
The #hometovote queue in dublin airport this evening! Via @broadsheet_ie pic.twitter.com/nHxHAdXBo5
— buzz o neill (@buzzoneill) May 21, 2015
They waited in harshly lit airport hallways...
@YesEquality2015 A very busy Edinburgh to Dublin flight tonight with a lot of people going #hometovote #YesEquality pic.twitter.com/GOHEjRM4OL
— Daire Guilfoyle (@dguilf) May 21, 2015
They weighed down planes with their sheer volume...
Ryanair staff looking for baggage to pop in the hull luggage due to a "bit of a busy flight today" #MarRef #hometovote
— Rob Gilmour (@Rob_Gilmour) May 22, 2015
... and they searched in vain for last minute tickets home.
@AerLingus @Ryanair what are the chances of getting a standby / last minute flight from London -> Dublin today? I need to get #hometovote !!
— Ronan Archibald (@HootRonan) May 22, 2015
Many got up at the crack of dawn to make their journey.
On the train to Arlanda Airport. It's very early - worth it! #hometovote #LetsMakeHistory #VoteYes #MarRef pic.twitter.com/EN3DL0Gm19
— Der is voting YES! (@derhoward) May 22, 2015
But it was worth it, because today, an Irish passport is something to be proud of.
In Heathrow airport waiting for a flight to Cork to go #hometovote #MakeGráThelaw pic.twitter.com/ST04TMUQ0t
— Debbie O'Neill (@debbiemoneill) May 21, 2015
Today, your vote is something to wear on your chest with pride.
En route #hometovote from Canterbury UK #MarRef #YesEquality pic.twitter.com/BSadRS6smQ
— John Gilmore (@bouncyjohn22) May 21, 2015
Today, home looks a little bit different.
Came #hometovote all the way from London and found my mum had made some subtle changes to my room for me #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/BOdxqXhJoN
— Kevin Beirne (@KevBeirne) May 21, 2015
Came #hometovote all the way from London and found my mum had made some subtle changes to my room for me #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/BOdxqXhJoN
— Kevin Beirne (@KevBeirne) May 21, 2015
Tomorrow, it could be even more so.
Not long now #hometovote pic.twitter.com/v6ztDY8dw7
— Gang of one (@gang_of_one) May 21, 2015
They came on planes...
Didn't get a badge so made this little print out instead. Home to vote YES #MarRef @gettheboat2vote @YesEquality2015 pic.twitter.com/oxP7pUa3eT
— Helen Kennedy (@HKHunterKiller) May 21, 2015
trains...
A few more of the night-crossing contingent heading Euston -> Dublin for #MarRef #HomeToVote pic.twitter.com/URKQYm9Y2q
— Ireland \ Síomha (@ireland) May 21, 2015
...boats...
On the Ulysses ferry coming into dock right now. The Stena ahead of us. Plenty of #hometovote #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/SVV9omAW5N
— Mazzy K (@MazzyK) May 22, 2015
..and buses.
9am ... 13 hours later and still two more hours of a bus journey to go... #hometovote #VoteYes #Equality #boat2vote pic.twitter.com/dWTqhD6M9A
— clare nally (@clarenally) May 22, 2015
And by god, they were welcome.
The #hometovote is like when you're watching The Hobbit and an army of elves you'd forgotten from earlier in the film arrive over a hill.
— Colm O'Regan (@colmoregan) May 21, 2015
They came from all over Europe: from its stony east...
Waking up in #Slovakia which has a CONSTITUTIONAL BAN on #SSM Can't wait to get #hometovote in the #MarRef. @Ryanair get me home!!
— Declan Hayes (@declanjhayes) May 22, 2015
...To the costmopolitan cities of the West.
Barcelona airport selfie, on my way #hometovote in the #MarRef after a long day. Insert eye bags/baggage joke here. pic.twitter.com/6ByZ6CC933
— Ronan Lyne (@ronanlyne) May 21, 2015
Some came from the other side of the world, via an airport bar or two.
On the way- from Bangkok airport #hometovote pic.twitter.com/NmpzHE8e1F
— Carol Hunt (@carolmhunt) May 21, 2015
In fact, there were more than a few pints along the way.
1am en route #hometovote #holyhead #pintsforequality #YesEquality #irishinlondon #boat2vote pic.twitter.com/dEJGcFkonl
— clare nally (@clarenally) May 22, 2015
But however long their journey, it was only a small part of a much bigger one.
Seemed an apt title for my bus journeys in many ways today, loving #hometovote. We just might do this! #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/nTcItIowfA
— Philippa Barry (@philaper) May 22, 2015
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