Ireland's new laws on gay marriage will be enacted by the end of July, with the first ceremonies likely in the autumn.
The country becomes the first in the world to bring the change in by popular vote, with 62 per cent of the electorate backing it.
Ireland has become the first country in the world to adopt gay marriage by popular vote as 62 percent of the electorate backed a referendum, official results showed.
Some 1.2 million people backed the campaign to enshrine rights for same-sex couples in the Constitution, almost two thirds of those who voted.
More than 60 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot, the highest turnout at a referendum in the country in over two decades.
New laws on gay marriage will be put to the Dail parliament before the summer potentially paving the way for the first ceremonies to take place before the end of the year.
Ireland's new laws on gay marriage will be enacted by the end of July, with the first ceremonies likely in the autumn.
Ireland's overwhelming support for gay marriage is a message to the world, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said.
Billie asked girlfriend Kate to marry her at a count centre in Limerick moments after the result was announced.